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August 2004, World Apple Report Highlights

Challenge to Newer Varieties
Our annual survey of North American retailers' rankings of major varieties and suppliers has tracked rises and falls in the popularity of both. Gala/Royal Gala has had the biggest rise in popularity over the years. However, in the 2004 survey, old favorites such as Granny Smith, Golden Delicious and Red Delicious jumped ahead of Fuji and Braeburn in the rankings. Washington State remained the favorite source of supply, ahead of New Zealand. Retailers continue to be eager to stock more of the newer varieties and Granny Smith. Honeycrisp was rated as the "most impressive" new variety.

Europe's Unhealthy Finances
Governments continued to take forty cents of every dollar produced in European Union member countries in 2002, little changed from the tax burden in 1995, before various efforts to trim government spending were instituted. The average tax burden in the 10 countries that joined the EU in May 2004 is about the same. The comparable tax burden in the U.S. was 28.9 percent and in Japan 27.3 percent. The needs for more government spending for pensions, health care, security, etc are likely to put further strains on the system. Business will be strongly affected by how the battle between taxing and spending evolves.

China's Massive Assault
This article documents the extraordinary, continuing expansion of China's exports of fresh apples, fresh pears, concentrated apple juice and canned pears between 1998 and 2003. In general, most exports of fresh products go to neighboring markets in Asia, but penetration is increasing in many other markets. Most exports of CAJ and canned pears go to developed country markets. There is no evidence that the assault of this Chinese juggernaut on world markets will slow down any time soon.

Special Statistics
China: Total Fresh Apple Exports, 1998-2003 (chart).
China: Total Concentrated Apple Juice Exports (chart).
Average Retailer Ratings, by Variety, 2004 (chart).
Future Stocking Plans, by Variety, 2004 (chart).
Japan: Wholesale Prices of Fresh fruit, September 2002-March 2004 (chart).

The authoritative guide to the world apple business today.

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