New York grape growers are confronting record fertilizer and fuel costs and uncertainty over crop processing during harvest season, according to Spectrum News 1.
Robert Patterson, president of Westfield Maid Co-Op, said Refresco ended a 25-year contract that had covered his grapes, the 67 producers he represents and some independent growers, putting operations at risk.
Refresco later agreed to buy and process about 4.5 tons per acre, roughly half to two-thirds of the crop, which Patterson said would help growers without resolving the broader problem.
Patterson said delivered dyed diesel now costs about $5.80 a gallon and filling two tanks costs nearly $3,000 for roughly one week, while Buffalo State economics professor Fred Floss said higher production costs could push up prices for grape products and weaken demand.
Patterson hopes to secure a long-term agreement with Refresco or another processor, while U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer has urged the Agriculture Department to use the grape supply in federal nutrition programs and Refresco did not immediately respond to Spectrum's request for comment.
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