Work

Economic viability of robotic fruit harvesters to reduce large seasonal labor demands: Analysis of Gala and Honeycrisp apples

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Fruit harvesting is labor intensive and relies heavily on a decreasing immigrant farm labor supply. This study develops a model to compare robotic and manual apple‐harvesting profits. Given the anticipated performance of robotic prototypes, we find that a grower could spend $248.42 per acre per year on a robotic harvester and obtain the same profit as manual harvest. Marginal improvements in the percent of fruit harvested, harvester speed, and robot‐induced damage would greatly enhance robot profitability and farmers could spend more on the harvester and still obtain the same profit as manual harvest.

Source: Journal of the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association

DOI: 10.1002/jaa2.70000

Authors: Diane Charlton, Stephen Devadoss, R. Karina Gallardo, Jeff Luckstead, Stavros Vougioukas

Institutions: Montana State University, Texas Tech University, Washington State University, University of California, Davis

Language: English

Topic: Agricultural economics and policies

Subfield: Safety Research

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Decent work and economic growth, Zero hunger

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,500