12:00 am
February 26, 2016
- Earlier this week, the Washington Council on International Trade released a new report on the costs of the port slowdown of 2014-15. According to the report, Washington businesses lost $769.5 million. That figure incorporates exports that were not shipped (or had to be sent more expensively by air), delayed imports, and additional costs incurred for storage and truck idling. The report notes that these are only the short term costs: "Future costs, such as damaged client relations resulting in the loss of business or sole source contracts, can have long-lasting impacts on Washington businesses." (For background on the slowdown, see here, here, here, and here.)
- Opportunity Washington wrote this week about Oregon's new tiered minimum wage. Capital Press has reaction from agricultural groups.
- The AP has an interesting story on new apples and the changing apple industry: ". . . major growers have moved away from relying on few varieties for their income. Rather, many are diversifying their orchards, aiming to cash in on the premium prices of licensed niche apples, and creating competition among breeders to develop the next big flavorful apple."