Source: Food and Farm News
March 05, 2006
An olive growers organization estimates 10 percent of last year’s crop ended up being left on the trees, because farmers couldn’t find enough workers to harvest the fruit before it became too ripe. Labor shortages, foreign competition and lack of a set price from canneries have discouraged many olive farmers. The Olive Growers Council says a number of farmers with orchards near urban areas have sold land to developers, to be converted into housing.
March 05, 2006
An olive growers organization estimates 10 percent of last year’s crop ended up being left on the trees, because farmers couldn’t find enough workers to harvest the fruit before it became too ripe. Labor shortages, foreign competition and lack of a set price from canneries have discouraged many olive farmers. The Olive Growers Council says a number of farmers with orchards near urban areas have sold land to developers, to be converted into housing.