Agricultural Trade

Hayk Khachatryan andHee Jung Choi

Ornamental plant retailers face multiple challenges, including identifying their market, analyzing their current and potential consumer base, determining prices, and developing promotional programs to attract new customers. Previous research (Irani et al. 2011; Yue and Behe 2008) has focused on investigating consumer demographic profiles as well as consumers' store choices and their preferences for ornamental plant attributes, such as colors and scents. Research investigating consumption patterns such as seasonal and occasional purchases, repeat-buying habits, and purchase frequency has also benefited the industry by providing useful insights for developing effective marketing strategies. Research in other industries shows that consumers react to incentives, such as relevance and benefits of products and services provided. For example, the food industry is active in promoting the nutritional benefits of their products through various marketing channels, such as labels and advertisement

Edward Evans

Derek Farnsworth, Jennifer L. Clark, Allen F. Wysocki, and Ferdinand F. Wirth

Robert Botta, Taryn Garlock, Edward V. Camp, Andrew Ropicki, and Frank Asche

The oyster aquaculture industry has grown quickly in recent years. New farming techniques target specific attributes that increase oysters' value and allow them to be sold in the high-value, half-shell market. A lack of economic data makes it difficult for growers to determine which specific attributes increase oyster value, however. This publication summarizes findings from a recent study that examined restaurant menus to obtain economic data on raw, half-shell oysters. Major findings indicate that brand is an oyster attribute that provides value, and that marketing oysters with information on two or more attributes can also result in higher prices. Additionally, locally sourced oysters are often sold at cheaper prices, providing an opportunity for growers from outside regions to enter new markets. The findings will be useful to Florida oyster growers as attempts to expand Florida’s oyster aquaculture industry continue.

Kimberly L. Morgan andKimberly L. Morgan
Other Contacts: William A. Messina, Jr.

This publication presents production and market data specific to US blueberry, blackberry, and raspberry, with the intent to characterize related supply and demand trends recorded from 2000 to 2021. Implications from this market analysis are useful to inform production, harvest, and marketing decisions of Florida growers interested in, or involved with, the commercial berry industry. Written by Kimberly L. Morgan, and published by the UF/IFAS Food and Resource Economics Department, November 2022.