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Abstract
This study examines the economic feasibility of operating an Individual Quick Freeze (IQF) line in Decatur County, Georgia. This freeze line will assist vegetable producers in retaining some of the farm-to-retail price spread and create a market for their #2 (cull) vegetables. The fresh market can become more competitive during certain times of the year and fewer vegetables produced in the area will be marketable. In order for producers to send higher quality vegetables to market, they have to be discriminating about what is selected during harvest. This process leaves a great deal of profit potential in the field to rot. An alternative market would allow the producer to be discriminating and retain some of the value of the remaining vegetables in the field. This will greatly benefit bottom line profitability for the vegetable producer. An IQF line would assist in solving this quality problem. Producers could receive a premium by being highly selective and still market the culls. Producers may be able to expand acreage and/or cultivation practices to fully satisfy the fresh market, while also satisfying the frozen market. This study examines the relevant economic issues surrounding IQF vegetables including bell peppers, carrots, English peas, lima beans, snap beans, southern peas, sweet corn, yellow squash, and zucchini. The economic analysis includes the cost of operating an IQF line along with the current market prices for various vegetables.