Spatial Competition, Uniform Pricing, and Transportation Efficiency in the California Processing Tomato Industry
研究加州加工番茄产业中，统一定价政策如何导致市场重叠和运输成本增加，并通过非线性规划模型发现实际分配仅造成1.9%的利润损失，模拟显示加工商之间存在显著竞争。
Abstract This study examines the role of spatial pricing in the allocation of processing tomatoes from farms to the thirty‐two processing facilities located in northern and central California. A simple theoretical model illustrates that the industry's uniform pricing policy encourages market overlap and excessive transportation costs relative to FOB pricing. A nonlinear mathematical programming model is developed to determine the optimal allocation of processing tomatoes. This allocation is then compared to the estimated actual allocation. The analysis reveals foregone profits of only 1.9% from inefficient product allocation. Simulation results reveal significant competition among processors despite their separation in many cases by long distances.