The Price Is Right For Grape Production

The University of California (UC)-Davis along with UC Cooperative Extension have released 14 new cost-of-production studies for growing high-density olives, table grapes, winegrapes, fresh market tomatoes, onions, berries, apples, and dates.

Each study is based upon a hypothetical farm operation using practices common in the region. Farm advisers, growers, researchers, farm accountants, pest control advisers, industry consultants, and other agricultural associates provided input and reviews. Assumptions used to identify current costs and operations for the individual crops, material inputs, cash and no-cash overhead are described in the studies.

An analysis table shows profits per crop over a range of prices and yields. Other tables show the monthly cash costs by cultural operations; the costs and returns per acre showing material inputs; hourly equipment costs; and the whole farm annual equipment, investment, and business overhead costs.

Four studies show the cost for establishing and producing table grapes, and two studies help in establishing and producing winegrapes:

● Sample Costs to Establish and Produce Table Grapes, Thompson Seedless, 2007, San Joaquin Valley

● Sample Costs to Establish and Produce Table Grapes, Flame Seedless, 2007, San Joaquin Valley

● Sample Costs to Establish and Produce Table Grapes, Redglobe, 2007, San Joaquin Valley

● Sample Costs to Establish and Produce Table Grapes, Crimson Seedless, 2007, San Joaquin Valley

● Sample Costs to Establish a Vineyard and Produce Wine Grapes, Red Varieties-Cabernet Sauvignon, 2008, North Coast

● Sample Costs to Establish a Vineyard and Produce Wine Grapes, White Varieties-Sauvignon Blanc, 2008, North Coast.

Four berry and fruit studies were also released:
● Sample Costs to Establish and Produce Apples (Fuji), 2007, Intermountain (El Dorado County)

● Sample Costs to Establish A Date Palm Orchard and Produce Dates, 2006, Coachella Valley (Riverside County)

● Sample Costs to Establish and Produce Blueberries, 2007, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties

● Sample Costs to Establish and Produce Organic Blueberries, 2007, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties.

These cost studies and others are available online at http://coststudies.ucdavis.edu; at county UC offices; by mail from the University of California, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, One Shields Ave., Davis, CA 95616; or may be requested by calling 530-752-1517. Internet downloads are free. There is a $3 handling fee for each mailed report.