Hsiang-Tai Cheng

Potential Impact of Seasonal Closures in the U.S. Lobster Fishery

Open access in the U.S. fishery for American lobsters has created seasonally concentrated landings. This analysis examines the impact of seasonality upon the market and also analyzes the possible use of seasonal closures to counteract this seasonality. Monthly price response functions are estimated using principal components regression. A linear programming model, which uses the monthly price response equations , finds that the gross revenue maximizing pattern of U.S. landings would increase U.S. revenues by 18 percent. Furthermore, the increased concentration of U.S. landings that has occurred between the 1960s and 1980s has decreased revenues to U.S. fishermen by an estimated 6 percent. We find that one or two month closures will not increase gross revenues. Closures for extended periods (such as August to November) might increase gross revenues modestly, but such extended closures face serious political obstacles. Because this is an open access fishery, resource rents will not be generated from any increase in revenues. Higher revenues would seem to be consistent with other political objectives, such as increasing economic activity in fishing communities.

Factors affecting consumers’ choices among types of potatoes: A multinomial logit analysis

Potatoes are marketed by type (e.g., round white, russet, long white, red). A better understanding of the determinants of consumers’ choices among types of potatoes is crucial to the success of the industry’s marketing efforts in areas of product development, merchandising and advertising. This study identified three important factors corresponding to consumers’ potato purchasing decision — preparation method, the number of different ways consumers prepare the potatoes, and the age of the consumers. A multinomial logit model was used in the study.CompendioLa papa es comercializada por tipos (ej. blanca redonda, rojiza, blanca, larga, roja). Un mejor conocimiento de las determinantes de las preferencias de los consumidores por los tipos de papa es crucial para el éxito de los esfuerzos de comercialización industrial en zonas de desarrollo, mercadeo y publicidad del producto. Este estudio identificó tres importantes factores correspondientes a la decisión de compra de los consumidores — método de preparación, el número de diferentes maneras en que los consumidores preparan la papa y la edad de los consumidores. En el estudio se utilizó un modelo de análisis multinomial de la relación dosis/respuesta (“logit”).

Regional differences in consumer potato-purchasing decision in the eastern United States

This study investigates and compares factors that influence the potato-purchasing decision among consumers in two different regions of the eastern United States. Previous studies have focused on identifying only the physical attributes and culinary characteristics of potatoes that consumers prefer. This study was done to gain a detailed understanding of consumers’ potato-purchasing decision based on visual presentation of the type of potato along with the message attributes presented on the bag label. These attributes include product origin, brand labeling, product guarantee, and price.In-person surveys were conducted in two eastern U.S. market areas separately in 1997 and 1998. The results indicate that potato choices and the factors that affect those choices differ significantly between consumers in different regions. In particular, potato origin plays a key role in consumer purchase decisions and varies from one region to another. Differences in the effect of price on potato purchase also vary between regions.

An Analysis of Factors That Influence the Purchasing Decision for Fresh Potoatoes: A Study of Consumers in a New England Market

Consumer interviews were held in Springfield, Massachusetts to gather information about how certain product and pack attributes influence the selection of fresh potatoes in the supermarket. Respondents rated eight different factors in terms of their importance in the purchasing decision. Ordinal probit models were estimated to test for differences in ratings between distinct respondent groups. The results showed that potato appearance was the most influential factor. Potato size and type were other key considerations while price was only moderately important. Differences in ratings were related to variations in demographic characteristics of respondents, including gender, age and income.

Factors affecting consumer purchase decision for round white potatoes.

Potatoes are typically marketed by type, such as Russet or Round White, rather than by variety. However, sensory tests have shown that varieties with similar outward appearance have distinguishable internal and cooking characteristics. This study summarizes tests of consumer ability to differentiate visually similar round white potato varieties based on the performance of the potatoes in home use and examines how consumer satisfaction, purchasing habits and demographic variables influence the repurchase decision.CompendioLas papas son comercializadas normalmente por tipos tales como Russet o Redonda Blanca, más que como variedades. Sin embargo, pruebas sensorias han mostrado que las variedades con apariencia externa similar tienen caracterÍsticas internas y culinarias diferentes. Este estudio prueba la habilidad de los consumidores para distinguir visualmente las variedades similares de papa blanca redonda basándose en el comportamiento culinario de las papas y examina cómo la satisfacción de los consumidores, sus hábitos de compra y las variables demográficas influyen sobre las decisión de seguir comprando.

Potato Production and Farm Price Responses in Northeastern America

The potato industries in Northeastern America (including Maine, Prince Edward Island (P. E. I.), New Brunswick, and Quebec) have undergone structural changes over the past few decades. The most notable change was the continuing shift in potato production from Maine to P. E. I. Using data between 1980 and 2005, this study assessed the price impact of changes in production across the four potato-producing areas in the Northeast. The study found that production change in P. E. I. has the largest impact on its own price, supporting P. E. I.’s leading role in reducing potato production in the region. The estimation result of the price response model in the study also indicates that growers in other producing areas in the region will also benefit from P. E. I.’s acreage reduction program.

Commodity program flexibility and U.S. potato acreage

A new proposal for U.S. farm commodity programs would allow more flexibility in planting decisions on program acreage. This work examines the effect of such a proposal on potato production acreage. These results are used to project changes in total revenue accruing to existing potato producers and to the potato industry as a whole. The results indicate that the short term impact on the potato industry as a whole would be relatively minor but the impact could be unevenly distributed across producing regions of the U.S., causing some potential local discomfort.CompendioUna nueva propuesta para los programas de comercialización agrícola en los Estados Unidos permitiría una mayor flexibilidad en las decisiones de siembra del programa de acreaje. Este trabajo examina el efecto de tal propuesta sobre el acreaje para la producción de papa. Estos resultados se usaron para proyectar cambios en el ingreso total que beneficia a los actuales productores indican que el impacto a corto plazo en la industria de papa en general, sería relativamente pequeño, pero ese impacto podría distribuirse en forma desigual en las regiones productoras de los Estados Unidos, causando cierta incomodidad potencial a nivel local.