MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES FOR JAMAICA’S GRAPEFRUIT INDUSTRY

Several Caribbean sugar producing countries are actively looking for viable alternatives to recover some of the expected lost revenues due to the WTO (World Trade Organization) ruling that sugar subsidies in the European Union (EU) are illegal. One alternative worth considering is exporting fresh grapefruits to the EU. This marketing opportunity comes about as the United States of America (U.S.), the world’s leading grapefruit producer and exporter (over half of world production), has suffered a series of recent setbacks (citrus canker, citrus greening diseases, and devastating hurricanes) that threaten the future of that industry. Specifically, grapefruit and pomelo production in the U.S. has declined steadily since 2000 (from 2,506 thousand metric tons in 2000 to only 914 thousand metric tons in 2005). Approximately 25% of U.S. fresh grapefruit exports are directed to Europe, which is the largest grapefruit and pomelo import region (nearly 60% of world grapefruit and pomelo imports). Rising grapefruit prices in the EU due to reduced supplies coming from the US and an increase in the demand for the fruit in the EU could create a marketing opportunities for countries such as Jamaica. The paper discusses the state of the Florida citrus industry with particular reference to grapefruits and the marketing prospects for Jamaican grapefruit exports to Europegrapefruit, marketing, Florida citrus industry, World Trade Organization, CAES, Agribusiness, Agricultural and Food Policy, Crop Production/Industries, Demand and Price Analysis, Financial Economics, International Relations/Trade,

Economic Issues of Invasive Pests and Diseases and Food Safety

The problem of invasive pests and diseases has become more urgent and far more complex today than in the recent past. Increased trade and movement of people, and the opening up of new trade routes have increased opportunities for the spread of invasive species. In addition, mono-cropping systems of cultivation; globalization; increased resistance of pests to pesticides and food safety and environmental concerns have all contributed to the growing complexity of the problem on hand. The economic dimensions of the problem can be viewed from at least two perspectives. First, with regard to the spread and impact of invasive species, particularly how best to provide more comprehensive assessments of impacts of invasions, so as to improve the cost effectiveness and efficiency of publicly funded programs aimed at eradication, control or mitigation of invasive pests and diseases. Second, from the perspective of incorporating more economic analysis and use of economic instruments in designing sanitary and phytosanitary measures. The paper explores some of these issues from an economic perspective. It concludes that incorporating more economic analysis in matters related to biological invasions is desirable, but presents a challenge to economists. Measurement requires data, and success in measurement will require that economists and biological scientists work closer together than they have in the past.sanitary and phytosanitary measures, SPS, invasive species, WTO, economic impact of invasive species, Environmental Economics and Policy, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, International Relations/Trade,

Assessing the potential impact of strengthening food safety regulations on developing countries: The US Food Safety and Modernization Act

This paper’s goal is to assess the extent to which producers in Developing Countries have coped stricter US food safety regulations. We approach the question by calculating refusals/imports ratios and their trends for a sample of Developing Countries. We conclude there is a learning process in low value added products.food safety, traceability, value chain analysis, trade, Latin America and the Caribbean, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, International Development, International Relations/Trade,

Impementing Self-Study Review Feedback

Department Chairs who are writing a self-study or program review will benefit from this session on implementing self-study review feedback and learn how to leverage feedback to argue for new hires, additional resources for projects, and support for worthwhile initiatives

Interpersonal problems of the nonprofit workforce: Evaluating the wounded healer as the reason for high turnover

The research goal was to identify a potential explanation for the high levels of turnover in nonprofit organizations. First, nonprofit employees’ levels of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) were evaluated and found to be significantly higher than for for-profit and government employees. This phenomenon could speak to a self-selection bias whereas wounded healers are drawn into the helping fields because of some perceived personal benefit they gain or because they might feel they can offer something more given their experiences. Having higher ACEs has been linked to job instability, and could be a contributing factor in the sector\u27s turnover rates. Nonprofit employees’ levels of interpersonal problems were also examined using the IIP-32 and it was found they had lower levels than the general population