LOSSES IN THE LOGISTICAL SYSTEM: THE CASE OF PERISHABLES

The potential for losses in the logistical system is particularly great for perishables, as they are sensitive to time, climatic conditions, and handling. However, the literature is virtually silent regarding the extent and causes of such losses. This paper reports the results of a study of freight claims for produce and ornamentals. The results indicate that losses are of a magnitude that should merit the attention of shippers, carriers, and receivers. Various loss reducing measures are suggested.Agribusiness,

REFRIGERATED TRUCKING IN THE INFORMATION AGE

Trends in refrigerated trucking since the 1980s were examined. Owner-operators have maintained their importance, but are more likely to operate under leases. Equipment replacement and utilization rates are good. Finally, drivers express high levels of satisfaction with driving and compensation and the large majority intend to remain in the profession.refrigerated trucking, driver supply, brokers, transactions costs, Public Economics,

MODELING WEEKLY TRUCK RATES FOR PERISHABLES

Crop Production/Industries,

USING USDA FRESH FRUIT AND VEGETABLE ARRIVALS TO DETERMINE THE DISTRIBUTION OF A STATE'S PRODUCTION

This paper examines the problem of transforming information on fresh fruit and vegetable Arrivals to U.S. Metropolitan Statistical Areas into a distribution of products to larger geographical regions. Three methods for the regional distribution of Florida-grown produce are compared. A new method, which takes into account regional population sizes in the allocation of an area's produce to the region, is shown to produce allocations similar to those obtained through trucker surveys. Finally, the new approach is applied to produce from other areas, and allocations to regions compared to that obtained using the Arrivals data only.Crop Production/Industries,

IMPLICATIONS OF CAPITAL-INTENSIVE DEVELOPMENT INTERVENTIONS FOR COMMUNAL RESOURCE OWNERS: THE CASE OF COMMUNAL FARMERS IN ECUADOR

The introduction in Ecuador of a primary irrigation infrastructure into a communal setting where land users did not fully control the land and had effectively no access to credit, produced a sell off of nearly all irrigable lands. The change in land reservation prices between buyers and sellers is analyzed.Land Economics/Use,

THE STRUCTURE OF A NEVER REGULATED LESS-THAN-TRUCKLOAD MARKET IN THE UNITED STATES

The structure of the never-regulated, less-than-truckload transport market for Florida ornamentals is examined using concentration ratios, and the Hirchman-Herfindahl, Rosenbluth, and E Indices. The results indicate that this market is not highly concentrated relative to all U.S. markets or to regulated trucking markets. This suggests that the long run structure of the trucking markets where regulations have been relaxed will not be highly concentrated and that economies of size may not be large. It was also found that, despite characteristics favorable to own-account carriage, it plays a minor role in ornamentals transportation relative to in regulated markets. This is consistent with the hypothesis that avoidance of problems and costs related to regulated carriage can be an incentive for firms to adopt own-account carriage.Marketing,

THE NATIONAL AND REGIONAL IMPORTANCE OF WHOLESALE PRODUCE MARKETS

The results of a three-year study to establish baseline estimates of the importance of wholesale produce markets (WPM) are reported. It is estimated that a third of all produce marketed in the United States and Canada goes through WPM. These facilities tend to be most important in larger urban areas. Gate and unloading fees commonly charged at WPM may place them at a competitive disadvantage relative to off-market sites.Agribusiness,

Gender: Kosova’s Other Challenge

The extent of differences in roles between the genders in Kosova is examined. Kosovar men, on average, devote 57 percent of their non-rest time to earned income activities (i.e., agriculture, other self-employed, and hired), and only 4 percent to housekeeping. In very sharp contrast, Kosovar women, on average, devote 14 percent of their time to earned income activities and a staggering 65 percent to housekeeping. There are considerable differences across Kosova’s ethnic groups, with much less rigid gender roles among ethnic Serbians than is true for ethnic Albanians. It is argued that rigidly defined gender roles result in significant inefficiencies in the economy. Consistent with this view, ethnic Serbian Kosovars have significantly higher incomes and lower incidences of poverty than their ethnic Albanian counterparts