Fresh Produce: One container = one job

Every 40-foot container of fresh produce—whether filled with Mexican avocados, California citrus, or Canadian berries—drives economic activity across North America. Though it may seem small in scale, each container supports approximately one full-time equivalent (FTE) job when factoring in all links of the supply chain.

Farm to Box

Growing and packing produce is labor-intensive; U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) models show each container supports 0.2 to 0.7 FTEs on farms and in packhouses. In Mexico alone, over 1 million jobs are tied to produce exports to the United States and Canada.

Trucking, Ports & Cold Chain

Containers travel by truck, rail, and ship, requiring drivers, warehouse crews, and cold chain technicians. According to the Port of Los Angeles, every four containers create one job, or 0.25 jobs per container, in direct port operations. Add in trucking and refrigerated handling, and the logistics share increases.

Inspection & Compliance

Fresh produce must be inspected at borders. Each container requires customs agents, agricultural inspectors, and licensed brokers. While only a sliver of time per worker, these are essential roles for food safety and trade compliance.

Distribution & Retail

From wholesale terminal markets to supermarket shelves, containers support clerks, forklift operators, and produce managers. Their labor helps keep fresh goods moving to stores and foodservice providers.

Ripple Effects

Beyond direct labor, containers create demand for packaging, fuel, software, marketing, and more. According to the World Shipping Council, $1 million in imported goods supports 11 U.S. jobs—and a container often represents $50,000 to $100,000 in value.

The Takeaway

📦 One container of produce = one job.
Across farm fields, highways, ports, and produce aisles, containerized trade keeps North America’s fresh supply chain—and workforce—moving.

Sources: USDA, Port of Los Angeles, National Public Radio, World Shipping Council, International Fresh Produce Association, Northwest Seaport Alliance.