Chile has topped the World Apple Report rankings as the most competitive apple exporter for the second year running.
The same 28 countries were listed this year as last and the Washington-based publisher measured production efficiency, industry infrastructure and inputs, and financial and market factors in drawing up its league table.
There was no change year-on-year in the top five rankings with New Zealand placed second ahead of France, Italy and the Netherlands. In fact, no country either climbed or fell more than two positions in the table.
The analysis found that while many countries have had modest gains in the percentage of production, accounted for by newer varieties, the advantage gained by those who adopted new varieties early is waning.
The report also showed that Italy has increased its production efficiency substantially rising five places to rank fifth in the sub-category which examines aspects such as planting density, average yield, percentage of non-bearing acreage and relative variability of production over the past decade.
Overall the World Apple Report found that the gap between the more competitive countries and those at the bottom of the table has remained very wide. Natural advantages continue to play a key role and any advances in technology have benefited those at the top of the table as much as those at the bottom so that the gap has not narrowed.
“Countries that wish to maintain or enhance their competitive position will need to continually reassess their strengths and weaknesses,” said the report. “They will need to develop strong industry initiatives to address those weaknesses and to seek government policies and regulations that help rather than hinder competitiveness.”
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