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March 2005, World Apple Report Highlights

Managing Alliances
This is the third article in a series that looked at the information needs of the apple business. An issue that has become critical in recent years is that of the alliances a business will need for future survival. Alliances will include those that are local and those that cross state, national and international boundaries. They will include those that are by choice and those that are strongly promoted by governments, customers or suppliers. Alliances will introduce a new set of discomfort, costs and risks for ongoing businesses. They will demand increased attention from boards of directors and managers. In many cases, wise choice of alliances may be the key determinant of which firms survive.

Measuring International Competitiveness
Annually, the World Apple Report publishes its competitiveness ranking of major apple producing countries. Rankings are based on 22 separate criteria covering production efficiency, industry infrastructure and inputs and country financial and market factors. Chile emerged as a clear leader in 2005, ahead of New Zealand. France, Italy and the Netherlands held down the next three places. Competitiveness rankings have been affected by slowing production in recent years, the reduced marginal benefit of adding newer varieties and greater limitations on key resources such as land, water and labor.

China's Number One
The World Apple Report estimates that in the calendar year, 2004, China for the first time became the world's largest exporter of fresh apples, nudging slightly ahead of perennial leader, France, and jumping well clear of number three, the United States. China's export expansion is remarkable. As recently as 1997 and 1998, China's exports of fresh apples were only one third those of the United States and one quarter those of France. China has made similar spectacular advances in exports of fresh pears and of concentrated apple juice.

Special Statistics
Competitiveness Rankings of Major World Apple Suppliers, 2005 (table).
Southern Hemisphere: Production and Fresh Exports of Apples, 2003-05 (table).
Southern Hemisphere: Production and Fresh Exports of Pears, 2003-05 (table).
Southern Hemisphere: Production and Exports of Concentrated Apple Juice, 2003-05 (table)
Long-term Unemployed in Selected Countries, 2002 (chart).

The authoritative guide to the world apple business today.

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