U.S. apples lies in Sweden where the commercial crop is estimated 

 at 33 percent below last season's output. 



In total, U.S. shipments of apples to Western Europe are 

 expected to be the same as the 1.1 million cartons moved in 1979/80, 

 with the major markets being Sweden, Norway, Finland, and the 

 United Kingdom. 



Mexico and Central America Mexico's crop loss from a severe 

 frost last spring has been estimated at 20-25 percent by Conafrut, 

 a national fruit organization. Although increased imports may 

 result from this shortfall, Government efforts to provide relief to 

 growers through higher prices could mean a lower- than-expected 

 import level. How much goes across the border is the most important 

 factor in projecting U.S. apple exports to this region. 



Though still small, markets of the Central American bloc have 

 shown a modest growth over the past few years in purchasing apples 

 from the United States. 



The 1980/81 outlook calls for U.S. apple exports to exceed 

 last season's level of 744,000 cartons. 



Caribbean Collectively, the islands in the Caribbean have 

 been showing rather steady growth since 1973 in their takings of 

 U.S. apples. The generally increasing tempo of tourist traffic in 

 this area is largely responsible for this increase, especially in 

 the Netherlands Antilles and Trinidad. The trend should continue 

 in 1980/81 with U.S. apple exports topping the season-earlier ship- 

 ments of 343,000 cartons. 



South America Colombia has been the shining import star in 

 this area. Since its import liberalization of 1976, there has been 

 a buildup every year in U.S. apples to this market, reaching a 

 high of 289,000 cartons last season. 



Elsewhere in South America, the outlook is not as bright. Brazil 

 remains-and is expected to stay-a small market for U.S. apple exporter 

 while Venezuela continues as an erratic market. 



U.S. apple exports to South America are almost certain to rise 

 substantially above the previous season's figure of 676,000 cartons. 



Middle East For three straight seasons, moderate gains in 

 U.S. exports to Middle Eastern markets have been posted, and the 

 overall volume is fairly high. Last season, 1.3 million cartons of 

 U.S. apples were shipped to the region, with Saudi Arabia taking 

 about 1 million and the United Arab Emirates most of the balance. 

 The recent trend should continue in 1980/81. 



Africa This region represents only a small slice of total 

 U.S. apple exports. U.S. exports to this area should approximate 

 last season's performance of about 64,000 cartons. 



