Belrose, Inc.
Belrose, Inc.
May
2010, World Apple Report Highlights
The
Doctrine of Sustainability
The food and agriculture systems have been under attack for not operating
in a sustainable way. Many have adopted more sustainable practices such as
using less fossil fuels, composting waste or fostering local connections.
However, this article argues that this will not be enough to satisfy many
of the leading promoters of sustainability. They are opposed to the principles
on which the capitalist system has flourished, where consumers seek to maximize
their personal satisfaction in the products that they buy, and businesses
seek to maximize profits from the goods and services that they sell. Consumers
and producers, it is argued, are not held accountable for the external effects
of their choices, such as increased pollution, and governments cannot be trusted
to monitor or supervise markets. The solution, according to the doctrine of
sustainability, is an end of large corporations and a return to small-scale,
local food systems. On their present trajectories, there are likely to be
major philosophical and practical clashes between the current agricultural
system and the vision of agriculture being promoted under the doctrine of
sustainability.
Trade
Challenges Grow
The world apple industry continues to expand production in the major exporting
countries at a faster rate than world population is growing. Exports have
been growing rapidly in Asia, Eastern Europe and the Southern Hemisphere,
but further substantial increases in exports are likely in the next few years.
The problem could be particularly acute for China. There is a limit to how
many more apples the domestic market can absorb. China could be forced to
ramp up its export expansion efforts, bringing more intense competition to
markets around the world.
U.S.
Organic Scorecard
The USDA,NASS has just issued its first ever census of organic agriculture
in the United States for the year 2008. The total value of organic sales was
$3.165 billion, 61.4% crop products and 38.6% animal products. Organic agriculture
accounted for about one percent of U.S. farm sales in 2008. The share was
higher for major fruits: apples (6.2%), pears (4.1%), grapes (3.6%) and sweet
cherries (2.7%). Apple organic acreage exceeded over 20,000 acres in 2008,
but almost all of that acreage was in the desert areas of the western states.
Washington State alone accounted for almost 65 percent of organic apple acreage.
Organic apple acreage had lower average yields, but higher average price per
ton. Value per acre was 8.2% higher, but higher organic costs per acre may
have offset the higher revenue.
Special Statistics
The authoritative guide to the world apple business today.
Belrose, Inc., 1045 NE Creston Lane, Pullman, WA 99163,
USA
E-mail to: belrose@pullman.com
Tel: 509-332-1754
Fax: 509-334-5209
Belrose, Inc.
1045 NE Creston Lane
Pullman, WA 99163, USA
Email: belrose@pullman.com
Tel: 509-332-1754
Fax: 509-334-5209