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October 2004, World Apple Report Highlights

Modest Increase in World Apple Crop
Forecasts of the 2004-05 apple crop from many parts of the world suggest that world production will be up modestly on the depressed levels of the previous two seasons. The recovery in Europe and North America will be modest because of unfavorable growing conditions in many districts. Supplies will be down in major producing countries such as Russia, Turkey and the Ukraine. China will again have a 21 million metric ton crop, more than one third of the world total. Expansion of new varieties will buck the general trend.

Does Olympic Competitiveness Matter?
Many countries fixated this summer on the performance of their Olympic athletes. This article takes a lighthearted look at the connection between Olympic performance and country competitiveness. After allowing for differences in population and per capita income, the conclusion is - There is not much link. On the basis of Olympic medals won per capita, the Bahamas led the world with Cuba third and Latvia fifth. Among apple producing countries, Australia was the leader in Olympic achievement. The United States was 39th overall and China 68th. So, take those Olympic achievements with a grain of salt.

Worries Spread in Europe
Enlargement of the European Union (EU) in May 2004 has brought concern both to the old and the new members. Older member countries worry about the level of competition they may face from lower-cost newer members when the barriers come down, especially as EU funds enable these new members to modernize their agriculture. Newer members fear that they may be swamped by a flood of higher quality products from older member countries. Both are worried that a future WTO agreement may take away some of the subsidy benefits their agriculture might otherwise receive.

Special Statistics
International Market Trends. Interseasonal Price Comparison, 2003-04 v 2002-03 (table).
Competitiveness in Apples and the Olympics (table).
Internet Subscribers per 100 Inhabitants (chart).
Transition Countries: Lagging Economic Growth. Real GDP in 2003 as Percent of 1989 Level (chart).

The authoritative guide to the world apple business today.

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