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May 2004, World Apple Report Highlights

Is there an Alliance in Your Future?
No single issue will determine the future prosperity of growers, packers, shippers and marketers in the apple industry more than the decisions they make on alliances. Pressures for alliances are coming from retailers, and the need for costly innovations in products, packaging, delivery methods and promotional appeals. International alliances are most urgently needed in research and development, marketing and promotion. However, persuading many independent players in many countries to work together will be difficult. It will also be crucial to have solid criteria against which to assess potential and actual alliances.

Feuding over the Food Pyramid
For many years, there has been only one, unchallenged food pyramid, that developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. That pyramid visually illustrated the recommendation that consumers eat widely from the cereal group (the base of the pyramid), then include plentiful fruits and vegetables, eat reduced amounts of meat and dairy products and eat fats, oils and sweets sparingly (the apex of the pyramid). The recommendation of the popular Atkins diet turn these recommendations on their head, while other diets snipe at other elements of the USDA pyramid. The feud over what guide consumers should use could be intense and confusing to consumers.

Brazil Becoming Big-time Exporter
As recently as 1996, Brazil was the fourth largest importer of fresh apples in the world. It is now a major net exporter. Its exports are projected to jump 50 percent to 115,000 metric tons in 2004. Three major factors have contributed to the reversal. One is the continued expansion of Brazilian apple production. A second is the series of economic crises since the mid-1990s that has stifled domestic demand. A third is the decline in the Brazilian real that has made exports cheaper. However, Brazil will face stiff competition in Northern Hemisphere markets and will need to become more innovative in its product mix and marketing methods to expand its exports profitably.

Special Statistics
Brazil: Exports and Imports of Fresh Apples, 1990-2002 (chart).
The USDA Food Guide Pyramid and The Atkins Food Pyramid (chart).
European Union: Rate of Change in Organic and Transitional Land Area and Farms, 1995-2002 (chart).
World: Areas of Major GMO Crops, by crop and by Major country (chart).

The authoritative guide to the world apple business today.

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