PM-resistant varieties of grapes could yield large economic
benefits to California grape growers—potentially allowing cost
savings as high as $48 million per year in the subset of the industry
covered by our analysis. Our estimates of the cost savings
attributable to PM-resistant varieties range widely across the
different grape production systems. On a per-acre basis, table
grapes have the greatest potential cost savings. In present value
terms, the benefits are quite sensitive both to the R&D lag until the
resistant varieties become available for adoption and the ultimate
maximum rate of adoption. PM-resistant raisin grapes, which will
likely be available soonest and adopted more readily, will likely
yield the largest overall benefits among the systems and regions we
have examined.