Cancelling methyl bromide for postharvest use to trigger mixed economic results

Abstract

The economic impacts of methyl bromide's (MBr) phaseout for postharvest fumigation vary widely among growers and, in the case of fumigation to meet quarantine restrictions, may vary widely from year to year. For walnuts, if processors use an alternative pest control strategy with a longer treatment time, a smaller supply of walnuts will be ready on November 7, a target date for shipping to Europe for the holidays. Cancellation of MBr could effectively eliminate access to export markets for cherries, peaches and nectarines until alternative quarantine treatments are approved by trade officials.