Progress Report 76
Filing Code; 7-1
STRAWBERRY MARKETING IN KENTUCKY — 1958
By Willard H. Minton
Department of Agricultural Economics
Marketing information for strawberries for the year 1958 was obtained by con—
tacting the local strawberry markets in Kentucky in the summer of 1958. These
local markets were made up of 14 cooperatives and 4 independents. Records and
estimates from these local markets indicate that approximately 4, 000 acres were
.. in production in 1958 with a total yield of 359, 000 16~~quart crates (all berries con-
verted to a 16-quart equivalent). This was an average yield of 90, 16-quart crates
per acre..
Approximately 156, 000 crates were sold through fresh market channels in 1958.
_ The local markets sold about 130, 000 crates of this total while about 26, 000 crates
. were sold direct by the growers. Those berries sold through the local markets
graded 82 percent U.S. No. 1, 17 percent U.S. No. II, and 1 percent Unclassified.
All marketing costs charged the grower at the shed, including cost of crates,
were accounted for to give the grower a take -home price for fresh berries. The
average take —home price for 24-quart crates for Kentucky was $4.05 with a range
of $2. 24 to $4, 73 for local markets within the state. The average take-home price
for 16. quart crates for the state of Kentucky was $3,,12 with a range of $. 77 to
$3.81 for local markets within the state.
Fifty-five percent of the fresh market berries were packed in 1.64-quart crates,
. and the remaining 45 percent were packed in 24-quart crates. There is a decided
trend toward the use of 16 quart crates for marketing berries. In 1957, 45 per-
cent of the fresh market berries were packed in 16-quart crates._l/ A per quart
take-home price was determined in relation to size of crates. For 16-quart crates,
the average take-home price was 19.5 cents per quart, while the average take-
home price for 24 quart crates was 16 9 cents per quart This indicates a higher
take-home price for fresh berries marketed in 16-quart crates in 1958. However,
in 1957, there was a slightly higher return in favor of 24-quart crates.
Marketing costs at the local market level were made up of the following items;
Manager“s compensation, shed labor. office labor, telephone, supplies, rent or
shed payments, inspection fees, public relations, and insurance, The average
marketing cost for 16-quart crates was 27 cents per crate in Kentucky, with a range
of 10. 0 cents to 100.0 cents per crate for local markets within the state An
average marketing cost for 24 quart crates was also 27 cents per crate in Kentucky,
with a. range of 12.0 cents to 100.0 cents per crate for local markets within the
state.
1/ Less tha.n 10 percent of the fresh market berries were packed in 16-quart crates
_ in 1956. `
UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
ACiR1CULTURA1.. EXPERIMENT STATION
Lexington   I