Date of Award:

5-1942

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Economics and Finance

Department name when degree awarded

Commerce

Committee Chair(s)

W. Preston Thomas

Committee

W. Preston Thomas

Abstract

Raspberry production in Utah is concentrated to a large extent in Utah county. According to the 1940 census, Utah county contains 62 percent of the state acreage of 611 acres. Average raspberry acreage in Utah is only about one-half acre per farm on farms reported as growing raspberries. With such small acreage the average producer cannot afford to devote very much time and effort to the production and marketing of raspberries. In the majority of cases raspberry production is carried on by the farmer's wife, as a means of gaining “pin” money for use in the household. Proceeds from raspberries are one of the first cash incomes of the year received from fruit production. The harvesting of raspberries begins about the 25th of June and lasts until the end of July in Utah county.

Because of the small acreage per grower, short production season, and high perishability of raspberries, a problem of marketing arises. Previous to 1939, the Salt Lake Public Market was over-supplied with raspberries during peaks of production. This resulted in low prices. Peddlers and truckers dictated the price received by producers. Thus, low prices often resulted and caused the berries to be left on the vines as the prices would not pay the cost of picking and packing.

In order to provide better market outlets, establish satisfactory grades and standards, and provide for more orderly marketing, the producers in Utah county organized a Cooperative Marketing Association in 1939. This association was organized for the purpose of marketing raspberries grown by producers in Utah county from Mapleton to Pleasant Grove.

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