FRUIT AND VEGETABLE MARKETING ORDERS IN THE UNITED STATES, 1937–1987, A REVIEW

B.C. FRENCH
Marketing orders are legally binding marketing plans which permit fruit and vegetable growers in designated regions to control quantities, and qualities of products marketed and to engage in market support activities such as container standardization, research and advertising. Legislation authorizing such programs was established during the economic depression in the 1930s. Since then, the use of marketing orders has expanded to where about 90 different programs are now authorized under federal and state legislation. The volume-management programs and some aspects of quality controls have been controversial. Evaluation of the actual economic performance of marketing orders has proved difficult because of the complexity of factors involved, the dynamic nature of adjustments and the lack of agreement on economic criteria for judging performance. Some limited conclusions based on general observations and the few available studies are presented. During the past 50 years emphasis has shifted toward relatively greater use of quality controls and market support programs.
FRENCH, B.C. (1988). FRUIT AND VEGETABLE MARKETING ORDERS IN THE UNITED STATES, 1937–1987, A REVIEW. Acta Hortic. 223, 48-60
DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.1988.223.6
https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1988.223.6
223_6
48-60

Acta Horticulturae