splash template

October 2003, World Apple Report Highlights

Tumultuous Decade
The World Apple Report began its tenth year of publication in October 2003. In the ten years since the first issue, many firms and individuals have withdrawn from the industry, some voluntarily, many due to a combination of bad weather, bad harvests, bad markets, bad decisions or bad luck. This ninth anniversary issue looks back in order to look forward with a number of special features including a detailed "Dictionary for the Decade". Our editorial policy remains the same; there is no question facing the industry that is too delicate or too difficult to ask. Only from asking questions, can we help our readers in their future journey.

Revolution in Business Culture
Business culture in the apple industry, as in all industries, has changed. By "culture" we mean the customary beliefs, social forms and material traits of business people have changed. Part of this is related to the increasing size of agricultural enterprises and the increasing distance of many from their rural roots. Part relates to the lower importance of personal relationships in business transactions and the decline in common understandings on what is acceptable competitive and cooperative behavior. Legal agreements have replaced personal relationships and legal actions have replaced informal dispute settlements. The apple industry needs to find less costly and less disruptive dispute resolution approaches.

Getting Back on Track (Special Review of the 2002-03 Marketing Year)
In the 2002-03 season, the apple industry solidified recent gains and slowed the attrition among firms. Real demand continued to be weak, but retail prices rose because of shorter crops. Most varieties of fresh apples enjoyed higher prices. The processing market remained depressed by large supplies of imported juice. Declines in exports by some major players were offset by increases for others. The industry is still in a fragile state and in no mood to undertake any major new initiatives.

Special Statistics
Eastern Europe, Summary Apple Trends, 2000, 2002 and 2005. (chart)
International Market Trends, Interseasonal Price Comparison. (table)
U.S.: Volume of Apples Processed in Major regions, 1997-98 to 2002-03. (table)

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