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| Horticultural & Tropical Products Division | Return to the H&TP Home Page |
September 7, 2001
U.S. Exports of Fresh Apples and Pears Set Records
U.S. apple and pear exports in marketing year 2000/01 totaled more than 750,000 tons and 168,000 tons, respectively, both records. Apple shipments in 2000/01, valued at nearly $420 million, were up 40 percent from sales in 1999/00. The value of U.S. pear exports in 2000/01 increased 7 percent to a record $93 million. Fresh exports have become increasingly important for U.S. apple and pear producers. In 2000/01, 16 percent of the total U.S. apple crop was exported, compared to 6 percent in 1987/88. Likewise, around 20 percent of the pear crop was exported in 2000/01, in contrast to 5 percent in 1987/88. The success in U.S. apple and pear shipments mainly reflects the completion of trade agreements and increased promotion activities under the Market Access Program. Mexico has emerged as the top destination for U.S. apple and pear sales. Other key markets for both fruits include Canada, Taiwan, Venezuela, and Saudi Arabia.
The Mexican Government Expropriates 27 Sugar Mills
The Mexican government officially announced on Monday, September 3, that it will be expropriating 27 failing sugar mills. In a decree published in the official government bulletin (Diario Oficial), President Vicente Fox explained that the sugar mills were being expropriated "for reasons of public utility" to ensure continued sugar production that has averaged over 4.5 million tons per year. This is the first step to organize and restructure the national sugar sector. All of the expropriated sugar mills represent about 50 percent of sugar production in Mexico. The Government will use up to $3 billion pesos ($327 million dollars) to keep the mills operating and prepare the mills for sale. The Secretariat of Treasury indicated that the mills will be sold in 18 months to either local or foreign buyers or a combination of the two.
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