Beneficios privados y beneficios sociales en la cadena de la manzana para la exportación en el Uruguay

This research analyzed the performance of the Uruguayan apple export chain for fresh consumption, through the so-called policy analysis matrix method (PAM). The selected variety was Royal Gala, which is becoming an important export product due its early maturity season and good acceptability in highincome markets, such as Europe.The study quantified the effects of public policies (taxes, subsidies and social security cost) and the potential market failures affecting the different rings of the production chain. The potential transfers from and towards the chain were estimated. First, all revenues and costs were computed for each ring: production, transportation, and packing. In the second stage, private and social benefits were estimated, from the farm level up to the port.The results showed that global profits generated during 2007 by the apple export chain reached 347.57 US dollars per metric ton of processed fruit. The private agents involved in this chain capture up to 90% of this value, leaving on the table 37.51 US dollars per metric ton, in terms of net transfers towards other sectors of the economy. In 2010, the global profits dropped to 251.15 US$/t. Private agents only captured 68% of this value, as net transfers attained 80.58 US$/t.