TRANSPORTATION OF FLORIDA PERISHABLES--PROBLEMS AND RESEARCH NEEDS

 J. Kamal Dow


 INTRODUCTION


 Because of its geographic location and climate Florida has enjoyed

a comparative advantage in the production of winter vegetables and fruits.

The position of Florida as a supplier of these products in the U.S. mar-

ket and in particular to the most populated Northeastern industrial region

remained unchallenged for a long time; however, with all the technological

breakthroughs that have taken place in production, handling and distribu-

tion over the last two decades, the marketing systems have increased in

complexity and day by day comparative advantage is becoming less a func-

tion of location and natural resource endowment and more a function of

technology or man-made factors. It is very important, if Florida agricul-

ture is to maintain its competitive position vis-a-vis other suppliers, to

understand these factors and to assess their relative importance within

the marketing process.

 Of the so-called man-made factors that influence comparative advan-

tage, transportation is by far the most important. Depending on product

characteristics and value and on distance hauled, transportation costs

can be a significant part of the final price paid by consumers. Because

it links production and consumption, transportation plays a vital role



 J. KAMAL DOW is associate professor of food and resource economics.