Economic Evaluation of a Low-Cost Fresh Market Apple Harvest-Assist Unit

To replace the inefficient and occupational disease-prone conventional ladder-bucket apple harvest approach, a low-cost apple harvest-assist unit was developed. This study conducted economic analysis on this unit to provide baseline information for its commercialization. The unit brings benefits to apple growers in four aspects: improved harvest efficiency, decreased occupational injuries, eliminated ladder fees, and increased working efficiency on pruning, training, and thinning (PTT). The economic analysis was conducted at the yields between 25 to 45 Mg/ha, which covered the U.S. apple orchard yield ranges. Savings on PTT and improved harvest efficiency account for 61% and 33% of the total savings, which indicates the importance of using the unit for multiple purposes. For any apple orchards with an area smaller than 4.2 ha, it is not recommended to purchase the unit, because the adoption would result in negative net benefits to apple growers. For larger apple orchards, apple growers are recommended that apple growers to purchase multiple units to meet the needs. Taking a 23 ha apple orchard with a yield of 25 Mg/ha for example, purchase of two units to meet the practical requirements would help apple growers save $8000 per year. This study has provided baseline information to assist apple growers in decision making on investment of the harvest-assist unit based on the orchard size and yield.