Packing California Vine-Ripe Tomatoes: Costs and Efficiencies

Synthesized costs for three model packinghouses in California showed significant economies of size for vine-ripe tomatoes. Mechanization of the sizing process and substitution of bins for field boxes in packinghouse operations were primarily responsible for the cost savings. Under a specified season length and operating capacity, a small model packinghouse had per unit operating costs of $1.60; a medium-size model, $1.30; and a large model, $1.15. The most efficient size of packinghouse for a given area, however, was shown to depend heavily on season length.