April WAR2010

April 2010, World Apple Report Highlights

Don't Ask, Don't Tell
This article is about the behavior of governments. In general, they prefer citizens not to ask about the behavior of government, and they prefer not to tell citizens what they are really up to. The results of that persistent pattern of behavior are coming home to roost all over the world , with major implications for consumers, businesses and government itself. While the finger of suspicion has focused heavily on Greece in recent weeks, as financial analyst, Jim Jubak has pointed out, the Greek government is not unique. All governments lie. They exaggerate the benefits and underestimate the costs of government programs. They use shady book-keeping. They spend now, with plans to pay for the programs later. The widespread use of stimulus packages have increased the current deficits and long-term debts of governments to such an extent that there has been widespread public anxiety about burdening present and future generations to pay them off. Businesses and business organizations need to demand much more transparency from their governments.

Earthquake Rocks Chilean Industry
The center of the fruit-producing area in Chile was hit by a magnitude 8.8 earthquake on February 27, 2010 and by numerous large aftershocks. Despite considerable damage to key public infrastructure such as roads, bridges and ports, exports resumed rapidly. However, the effects within the industry will be felt for years as damaged packing, storage, irrigation systems and other equipment will need to be repaired or replaced.

Measuring International Competitiveness, 2010
Chile repeated as the most competitive apple producing country in the world in the fifteenth annual edition of the World Apple Report's International Competitiveness Rankings. The United States edged ahead of Italy into second place. France and New Zealand were in a virtual tie for fourth place. Countries were scored on 22 criteria divided into 3 subcategories, production efficiency, industry infrastructure and inputs and financial and market factors. Of the top ten countries in overall ranking, four were in the top ten in all three subcategories. The rankings are a useful guide to countries in terms of aspects of their business that need to be improved.

Special Statistics

Major Producing Countries: Quantities of Apples Processed, 2000-2009 (chart)
International Competitiveness Rankings, 2010 (table).
World: Concentrated Apple Juice Production, Past and Projected, 2000-2020 (chart).
World: Year-to-year Changes in Volume of All Exports, Agricultural Exports and
GDP, 2000-2009 (chart)

The authoritative guide to the world apple business today.

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