World Apple Review – 2018 Edition
Drive for Quality – An Imperative for Apple Industry Prosperity
This 2018 issue of the World Apple Review focuses on the drive for quality as world apple area, yields and production continue to set new records. Quality will be the key to preventing downward pressure on prices. World supplies of competing fruits are continuing to grow. There is a continually renewing supply of snack foods and beverages. Berries and other “super foods” are expanding rapidly. We review the common factors affecting all apple producing countries, like labor availability, club varieties, and new technologies. Read about the outlook for the apple industry in 24 major apple producing countries. We include up-to-date forecasts of world apple production through the year 2025. We examine world variety trends in key producing countries and forecast market shares for major apple varieties. The hunt for new, winning varieties is intensifying. The growth of world trade in fresh apples has faltered. We look at possible causes and remedies. Major exporters have adopted different strategies for expanding sales. But, big clashes lie ahead, especially in Asia, and especially between U.S. and Chinese exporters. Read about the challenge of sluggish fresh apple consumption in many developed countries. Increasingly there is a split between affluent consumers willing to buy premium varieties, and struggling consumers who will only buy “value” apples. The population mix in many developed countries is changing, with fewer young, more elderly, greater ethnic mix, etc. In contrast, many developing countries with large youth populations and rising incomes offer growth potential, but marketing efforts require persistence. Many apple exporters dream about the great prospects in China, but there are good reasons to doubt, as China plays by its own rules. Historically, much of the Southern Hemisphere apple industry was inspired by growth prospects in Europe. As European markets fade, the Southern Hemisphere industry needs to find other growth opportunities. Apple prices are still determined at the retail level. It is important to understand how competition is changing at retail. Amazon’s purchase of Whole Foods has set other retailers scrambling to improve their online presence and home delivery capabilities. Retailers are placing increased emphasis on higher-margin items like organic apples and premium varieties. Exchange rate swings continue to distort grower prices. Trade barriers continue to disrupt prices and product flows. Apple processing is now dominated by what happens with Apple Juice Concentrate (AJC). Two heavyweights in AJC, China and Poland, will battle it out for market leadership. The global, national and business environment in which the apple industry operates is on the brink of major changes. China and Russia are lining up to challenge U.S. and European leadership in trade rules, climate change, etc. New leaders in the United States, Japan, France, the UK, etc., are attempting to reverse established trade and regulatory policies. Giant retailers are contemplating mergers, acquisitions, online expansion and unconventional partnerships to sustain their businesses. All these forces are placing new demands on suppliers. They are likely to lead to major changes in the apple grower-packer-marketer system. While quality will receive greater focus, increasing efficiency and controlling costs will remain crucial. Our annual competitiveness survey gives current rankings for 33 major producing countries. All these topics are lavishly illustrated with 51 original tables and 25 original charts that can be used for boardroom discussions on strategy, staff training, etc.
The authoritative guide to the world apple business.
Click on Table of Contents for detailed information on chapters, topics, tables and charts.