California handlers describe marketing issues for organic kiwifruit

Carman, H; Klonsky, K

California handlers describe marketing issues for organic kiwifruit

Authors

Hoy F. Carman
Karen M. Klonsky

Authors Affiliations

H.F. Carman is Professor, Depatment of Agricutural and Resource Economics, UC Davis; K.M. Klonsky is Farm Management Specilalist, Depatment of Agricutural and Resource Economics, UC Davis.

Publication Information

Hilgardia 58(3):169-175. DOI:10.3733/ca.v058n03p169. July 2004.

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Abstract

California kiwifruit is one of several commodities with a federal marketing order covering both conventional and organic products. Organic kiwifruit handlers were asked for their views on marketing issues for organic kiwifruit and how they differ from those for conventional kiwifruit. Organically produced kiwifruit accounted for 6.1% of total 2001-2002 California kiwifruit production. There are several differences between organic and conventional kiwifruit. The average size of organic kiwifruit is smaller than conventional kiwifruit; sales tend to occur later in the marketing year; there are more intermediaries (middlemen) in the marketing channel; and a larger proportion of organic product is packed in smaller shipping containers. The traditional price premium for organic product is decreasing as organic production increases, and it is not unusual for organically produced kiwifruit to be sold as conventional fruit in conventional marketing channels. Product appearance is becoming more important to consumers of organic fruit, who are now less willing to pay premium prices for cosmetically challenged product.

References

California Certified Organic Farmers. CCOF Membership Directory. 2001-2002. 2001. Santa Cruz, CA:

Carman H, Klonsky K, Beaujard A, Rodriguez AM. Marketing Order Impact on the Organic Sector: Almonds, Kiwifruit and Winter Pears. Giannini Foundation Research Rep No 346. January 2004. UC DANR, Oakland, CA:

[CASS] California Agricultural Statistics Service. California Fruit & Nut Acreage. Annual Issues 2002. Sacramento, CA: www.nass.usda.gov/pub/nass/ca/AgStats/2002-frt.pdf

[CKC] California Kiwifruit Commission. Kiwifruit Industry Shipment System Reports. June 11, 2001, and April 30, 2002 2001, 2002. El Dorado Hills, CA: www.kiwifruit.org

Hasey JK, Johnson RS, Meyer RD, Klonsky K., Sfakiotakis E, Porlingis J. An organic versus a conventional farming system in kiwifruit. Proc Third Int Symp on Kiwifruit. 1997. 1:223-8. Acta Horticulturae 444

[USDA] U.S. Department of Agriculture. Fruit and Tree Nuts Situation and Outlook Yearbook. Economic Research Service 2002. Washington, DC: www.ers.usda.gov/publications/FTS/Yearbook02/fts2002.pdf

USDA. Organic Perspectives. Foreign Agricultural Service. 1998. Washington, DC: www.fas.usda.gov/agx/organics/1998/dec98.htm

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California handlers describe marketing issues for organic kiwifruit

Authors

Authors Affiliations

Publication Information

Abstract

References

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