July 07

July 2007, World Apple Report Highlights

Immigration Problems Run Deep
Controversy over immigration in many countries has led to policies and proposals that hurt intensive agriculture. This article explains the powerful economic forces that drive migration both within countries and across international borders. People generally move from regions where population growth is outstripping economic opportunities to those where economic opportunities exceed the available workforce. There are also strong economic reasons why migrants choose illegal entry when the costs and risks of legal entry exceed the potential economic returns from illegal entry. Permanent solutions to migration problems will need to recognize the powerful forces that are in play and will require cooperative efforts between the countries that supply, and those that demand, migrant labor.

Shakeout in Canadian Fruit Industry
The number of farmers and the number of orchards involved in production of major fruits in Canada declined between 2001 and 2006, while the numbers in grapes and berries rose. Apple area declined in all major producing provinces and pear area in all but Quebec where it is still small. The shrinking base of orchardists and area will make it increasingly difficult for the Canadian apple and pear industries to fund needed research, outreach, promotion and other industry goods from industry sources while remaining internationally competitive.

Tracing the SmartFresh Effect
The SmartFresh technology is designed to allow packers and shippers to hold fresh apples in storage for a longer period in better condition. This article examines how the widespread use of the technology has altered U.S. shipping patterns. For the nation as a whole, shipping patterns have changed little. However, for Washington State, the largest supplier of fresh apples, the percent of shipments from regular storage later in the season has changed dramatically. In 2006-07, almost 60 percent of June shipments were out of regular storage compared to less than 20 percent in 2003-04 before the widespread use of SmartFresh.

Special Statistics

Canada: Area in Major Fruit Crops, by Province, 2001 and 2006 (table).
United States: Movement of Apples, Selected Periods, 2002-03 thru 2006-07 seasons (table).
Washington State: Percent of Shipments from Regular Storage by Four-week intervals,
2002-03 to 2006-07 (chart).
Latin America and Caribbean: Per Capita GDP, 2000-2004 (chart).
United States: How Major Personal Expenditures Have Changed, 1990-2003 (chart).

The authoritative guide to the world apple business today.

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