In Washington State Picker Shortage Threatens Apple Boom Analysis

In the article, “In Washington State, Picker Shortage Threatens Apple Boom”, Anna King wants readers to become aware of the enduring apple crisis occurring in Washington. She explains how the supply of apples has recently diminished because of bad weather in locations like Michigan, New York, Canada, and Europe. Particularly China’s middle class is keeping the country’s apples at bay. Despite such terrible production elsewhere, Washington has produced an abundance of apples compared to its average, but the amount of workers present to pick the apples is extremely low. Part of this problem is because usual migrant employees are unable to cross the border due to violence and increased security. With less workers, employers are increasing wages to encourage new employees to join their apple picking cause. As the apple season progresses, farmers are already preparing for the future via planting shorter trees and developing mobile …show more content…
On the graph this new equilibrium is marked as EQ4. At this marked point, price has increased but quantity stays the same as established at EQ1. As stated in in the article written by King, “Labor shortage comes as Washington State’s apples are worth more”. The following statement justifies or proves the increase of price in the Washington apple market. King yet again proclaims, “There’s an abundance of apples, but not enough pickers”; hence giving way to about the same amount or quantity of apples. Despite the higher demand, buyers are buying less apples because of the higher prices. At the old price there would be a shortage, we know this because the quantity supplied is less than the quantity demanded. The new equilibrium is created when buyers become unhappy during an ongoing shortage. To solve this, the price is raised until the quantity supplied meets the quantity demanded. Note the apple orchards raise the price of apples only because the consumers demand