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California farmers are struggling to sell grapes as demand for wine drops

389 points · 987 comments · randycupertino

  1. legitster · · focus · HN ↗
    My parents live in a massive fruit growing region of the country. Just this year, 2 of the major packing firms in the county both declared bankruptcy. It's not just the trade war, but years of shrinking seasonal workers that fell off to a trickle as well.

    The knock on effect is massive. The seasonal workers supported a large permanent workforce - and more importantly tax revenues in the county are collapsing.

    But the really important thing to understand is that once the industry is gone, it's gone for a long time. The other markets competing with the US are already expanding their industries to fill the void. Once those trees are planted, they produce fruit for several decades to come.

    1. TheJoeMan · · focus · HN ↗
      From a layman perspective, American fruit growers refused to change with the times. How long are they still trying to make the “Red Delicious” apple work? Another ex-major packer I know of made the peach fruit cups, which people have been catching on are just filled with corn syrup. But these have been long term purchasing trends, yet the growers seemed blindsided by the packers ceasing operations.
      1. bradfa · · focus · HN ↗
        There has been massive innovation and development in apples in the past 20 years. Every apple farm with a clue is growing trees for the past decade that look nothing like the trees of old. They’re growing varieties that didn’t exist 20 years ago. If you’re still seeing Red Delicious anywhere, it’s on the buyers at your local markets that missed the boat.
        1. djtango · · focus · HN ↗
          Is that why apples just taste like sugary water nowadays and barely taste of apples?
          1. stickfigure · · focus · HN ↗
            I have no idea what you are talking about. The honeycrisp revolution made me like apples again. Maybe your taste buds have changed?
            1. djtango · · focus · HN ↗
              I don't think I've ever seen a honey crisp. I had to look them up I think they're more common in the US. But the royal galas, pink ladys, jazz and fuji all are just really sweet
              1. [deleted] · · focus · HN ↗

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