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Fuit, veg costs surge
Running head: ECONOMICS
Economics
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Fuit, veg costs surge
The Queensland horticulture industry is crucial in Australia’s food chain link. Queensland is the leading producer of fresh produce such as fruits and vegetables in Australia whereby it supplies about 28% of horticulture produce. The recent Queensland flooding, which, affected about 14% of the nation’s fruit and vegetables produce areas affected the Australia’s supply of fruits and vegetables. The consistent rainfalls and the subsequent Queensland flooding damaged and disrupted harvests for horticulture especially, fruits and vegetables such as pumpkins, tomatoes, capsicum, celery, avocados, lettuce, broccoli, potatoes, mangoes, bananas, melons grapes and seedless watermelons.
This reduction in produce of fruits and vegetables has affected the horticulture industry economy negatively making it decline by 10% overall for 2011 leading to a combined loss of $560 million. The shortages of fresh fruits and vegetables have made the prize of the products to go high. This has led to small business owners to quit from preparing and selling popular salads and fresh fruit juices. An interview with sumo salad Charlestown square and Westfield kotare owner Mr. Paul Phelan said that he had been forced to substitute ingredients in some popular salads because of the problems he encounters with supply. He further said that it was difficult for him and other business colleagues to find pumpkin and cos lettuce and if they found one, it was of the poorest quality and very expensive. The price of pumpkin had tripled due to the floods from $1.5 to $6 a kilo and of bad quality.
Summarily, Paul highlighted that cos lettuce was completely not in the market and he substituted it with iceberg lettuce and said that he had to make difficult business decisions to avoid his margin shooting.
The flood crisis made it hard for the people to get fresh and quality fruits at affordable prices. For instance, pineapple and oranges had doubled in price although they are common ingredients in the market. Pineapple, which used to cost $28 a box, now costs $56 a box likewise to oranges. All other fruit boxes had risen by at least $10 a box.
International Monetary Fund (IMF) (2008) provides that the model of supply and demand can be used to show, the likely short-term impact of the flood on the price and quantity of fruits and vegetable in the Australia market. The supply and demand model applies two assertions about how people will act. First, the model will show the amount buyers will be willing and ready to buy depending on the price and other factors that are assumed constant. Second, the model shows the amount the sellers are willing and ready to sell depending on the price and other factors that are assumed constant. Mathematically the model is
Qd=f(prise, X)
Qs=g(prise ,X)
Where X represents constants. For simplicity we can have a simple system that has an equilibrium condition that is Qd=Qs. This implies that if the amount sellers are willing to buy is equal to the number buyers are willing to buy an equilibrium exists. The flood causes the prise of the fruits and vegetables to go high and as well make the quantity of the products cone down. Economically we can say that, the smaller the quantity supplied the higher the prize the product will cost. This is provable from the essay above as the prizes of fruits like pineapples and oranges double with the decrease of their supply due to Queensland floods. By plotting the quantity demanded and the prize it is evident that when the price are high quantity demanded if low and whereas when the prize is highest the supply also goes high. With this graph equilibrium price is at $3 .
The short-term effect on the fruits and vegetables due to the Queensland flood will affect the quantity supplied and likely the selling prize. Quantity supplied will really change unless changes occur in the expectations of the product. Assuming there is no change in expectations of fruits and vegetables in Australia, only the supply curve will shift to the left while demand curve will remain unchanged. The model below represents this change.
The equilibrium prize goes high as the quantity supplied drops.
If the technological breakthrough ensures that the Australia begins to import pumpkins, which are as good as, domestics are one then, the demand for the scarce product will increase. In addition, the supply will increase. This wills make the demand curve to shift slightly towards the right and the supply curve to shift towards the left resulting in higher equilibrium price and quantity. Sellers of pumpkin in the market will change their behavior to capitalize on the high demand and thus will only move along the supply curve. The model below shows the change of demand curve.
However, if consumers are uncertain regarding the quality of imported pumpkins, use the demand and supply analysis to explain the impact on the pumpkin soup market in the restaurant industry.
If the consumers are uncertain regarding the quality of imported pumpkins they will have divided mind and this will affect the way they will react to the product. The perception the customers / consumers will influence negatively or positively the pumpkin soup in the restaurant. The forces of demand and supply will determine the market prise of the pumbkin soup. Demand for the pumpkin soup which also refers to the ability of the consumers willing and able to buy the soup can be enhanced by the following factors. Price of other related products; the prize of the local pumpkin soup will affect the pize of the imported punmbkins soup. This is because the new soup has not been accepted yet by consumers and its quality is still under scrutiny.
The income of the people will also influence the market of the new product. A rise n income increases people’s purchasing power to buy more products or demand for new markets exploration by using new products.
Taste; since the consumers have not yet chosen the pumpkin soup subjectively it becomes hard for the new product to be sold. The soup may find rebellion at first but when the customers will have known its quality then it will begin to sale in the restaurants.
Expectations of future demand; given that the pumpkin is imported while there is a shortage in fruits and vegetables in Australia due to floods, future demands of the soup may make the customers to go for the soup especially if the soup proves to be good in quality(Ivanic, and, Martin. (2008)..
Substitution effect; given the situation o f local domestic pumpkins scarcity calls for substitutes to serve the customers. The new pumpkin soup although has not been proved to be quality will supplement the local scares pumpkin soup or even substitute it if its prize will be lowers than the local one.
Conclusion
An increase the demand while holding the supply constant causes the prize to increase. Whereas the decrease in demand with supply held constants, cause the price to decrease(Ivanic, and, Martin. (2008)..
The law of demand says that the quantity demanded varies inversely proportional to the price while the things are held constant. The higher the price the smaller the quantity and the lower the price the larger the quantity demanded. The law of supply also states that the higher the product price while other factors are held constant the higher the demand for quality .the lower the price the smaller the quantity and the higher the price he greater the quantity is supplied (Ivanic, and, Martin. (2008).
Reference
International Monetary Fund (IMF). (2008). Riding a Wave: Soaring Commodity Prices May Have aLasting Impact. Washington, D.C.: Finance and Development, Volume 45, Number 1March.
Ivanic, M. and W. Martin. (2008). Implications of Higher Global Food Prices for Poverty in LowIncome Countries. Washington D.C.: World Bank, Policy Research Working Paper 4594,
http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/news/general/fruit-veg-costs-surge/2056289.aspx
Fuel cells, an invention of the 19th century, have the potential to substitute fossil fuels
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Abstract
Fuel cells, an invention of the 19th century, have the potential to substitute fossil fuels. They are electrochemical devices which generate electricity through chemical reaction. The cells are made of different materials with varied characteristic depending on the type of the cell. The characteristics influence their productivity. The cells have the ability to meet electrical need in different contexts.
Introduction and background information
Fuel cells generate electricity through chemical reaction. They are electrochemical devices which generate electricity through combining oxygen and hydrogen. The combination produces heat and water as by products [1]. Some use alcohols such as methanol or hydrocarbons like natural gas instead of hydrogen. However, hydrogen remains the main component used in most of the cells. The notion of fuel cells was fist conceive in the 19th century when the first workable prototypes of the fuel cells were made. Developments through the 20th century lead to increased research and developments in the design and understanding of the fuel cells. The research and development of fuel cell since the 19th century has been consistently encourage by the desire to develop reliable and environmentally friendly sources of energy. Petroleum, which is the world’s most productive source of energy, is increasing becoming scarce. Furthermore, combustion of petroleum products produces emissions that are responsible for air pollution and creation of a greenhouse effect in the atmosphere leading to global warming. Fuel cell research continues and researchers try to find way of improving the reliability of the cells.
Material properties and comparison
The main parts of a fuel cell are two electrodes (a cathode and an anode) and an electrolyte. The electrodes are placed in the electrolyte.
In solid oxide fuel cells electrodes must have a high surface area, high catalytic ability, and high current conductivity and be compatible with the electrolyte used [2]. The must be compatible with the interconnect used. The electrolyte must be resistant to thermal shock, non-electron conductor, a good ion conductor at optimal operating temperatures, leak tight and dense, thin to minimize ionic resistance, and have reliable stability in oxidizing and reducing environments. It must also be extensive in area to maximize its current capacity and economically feasibly. The interconnection, which is important in Solid oxide fuel cells, must be made of impervious and inert material the can remain stable in reducing and oxidizing environment. Lanthanum chromite or metallic alloys can be used.
In molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFC ), electrodes must be resistant to CO poisoning, insoluble in the electrolyte, have the ability to sustain the current under varying oxygen and hydrogen concentration and temperature. Most common electrolyte for MCFC in lithium-potassium carbonates salt that is preheated to a molten state [3]. It melts at 550C but must be heat to 600C-1000C. The electrolyte take into account the carbon dioxide and oxygen solubility, cathode solubility, alkali metal hydroxides volatility (the hydroxides are generated at the cathode), and oxygen reduction dynamics.
In Proton exchange membrane fuel cells. The membrane is critical Nafion ion exchange membrane is the main membrane used [4]. Nafion is a polytetrafluoroethene (PTFE). It desirable characteristics are: It should be hydrophobic, Very resistant to chemical attack Thermoplastic with good mechanical strength.
Procession techniques
Each type of fuel cell has different processing techniques however the all involve catalyzed reaction of hydrogen at the anode. Hydrogen catalyzed reaction at the anode creates positive and negatively charged ion and electron respectively. The proton passes into the electrolyte and the electron through the circuit resulting into a current. Oxygen reacts with the electron and ion at the cathode producing heat and water.
Fuel cells application
Fuel cell are can be used for generation of electricity for different purposes. There are stationary, portable and mobile fuel cells to suite different tasks. Fuel cell can be used to provide backup power, run transport vehicles, run personal and military portable electronic devices, and provide electricity for domestic purposes [5].
Result and discussion
The results of this research indicate that fuel cells have long been considered substitute candidates for fossil fuels. Like solar, and wind energy, fuel cells do not have negative impact on the environment are considered green fuels. Interest in the fossil fuels has grown in the 20th century due the threat created by declining petroleum resources. Environmental concerns have also encouraged the developments. Materials used to create the cell – electrodes, electrolytes and membrane-depending on the type of cell must be compatible and have the ability to withstand conditions such as heat, oxidation, reduction, and solubility.
Conclusion
Fuel cells have enormous potential to become dependable sources of energy. Available information of the cells and the properties of suitable material for making the cells has adequately facilitate production of the cell for different uses. The cell come in stationary, portable and mobile form and are thus fit for deferent electrical energy needs. Are more development are realize, fuel cell reliability and ability to reduce dependence on fossil fuels nears becoming a reality.
Works cited
[1] S. Srinivasan. “Fuel Cells: Fundamentals to Applications.” Berlin: Springer US, 05.11.30 November 2005. Page 4.
[2] J. Fergus, R. Hui, X. Li, D. P. Wilkinson, J. Zhang. “Solid Oxide Fuel Cells: Materials Properties and Performance.” CRC Press 2008. Page 1
[3] S. P. Jiang, P. K. Shen. “Nanostructured and Advanced Materials for Fuel Cells” CRC Press 2013. 134
[4]D. P. Wilkinson, J. Zhang, R. Hui, J.Fergus, X. Li. “Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells: Materials Properties and Performance.” CRC Press 2009. Page 107
[5]. B. Sørensen. “Hydrogen and fuel cells: emerging technologies and applications.” Amsterdam: Elsevier Academic Press, 2012. Page 245-361
fruits production by type in Dubai
Production of Fruits by Type
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TOC o “1-3” h z u HYPERLINK l “_Toc423074066” Executive Summary PAGEREF _Toc423074066 h 2
HYPERLINK l “_Toc423074067” Introduction PAGEREF _Toc423074067 h 2
HYPERLINK l “_Toc423074068” Apples PAGEREF _Toc423074068 h 3
HYPERLINK l “_Toc423074069” Blueberries PAGEREF _Toc423074069 h 3
HYPERLINK l “_Toc423074070” Grapes PAGEREF _Toc423074070 h 4
HYPERLINK l “_Toc423074071” Peaches PAGEREF _Toc423074071 h 4
HYPERLINK l “_Toc423074072” Plums PAGEREF _Toc423074072 h 5
HYPERLINK l “_Toc423074073” Conclusion PAGEREF _Toc423074073 h 5
HYPERLINK l “_Toc423074074” Recommendation PAGEREF _Toc423074074 h 5
HYPERLINK l “_Toc423074075” References PAGEREF _Toc423074075 h 6
Executive SummaryThe Dubai citrus crop for the 2014 season totaled 18.5 million tons, down 7 percent from the 2013 season. The estimation of the citrus trim likewise tumbled from last season, dropping 25 percent to almost AED8.2 billion. Despite the fact that the aggregate estimation of oranges and grapefruit declined for the second season consecutively, the estimation of tangerines expanded for the third season in succession. In 2014, Dubai represented 67 percent of aggregate Dubai citrus generation. Dubai reDubaid the biggest maker of oranges and grapefruit, while UAE reDubaid the biggest maker of lemons and tangerines. Therefore, this paper will discuss the production of fruits in Dubai Emirate based on type.
Introduction
Fruits are characterized as a result of vegetable development consumable to people, for example, the created ovary of a seed plant with its substance and adornment parts, which incorporates the pea, pod, nut, tomato and pineapple (Aslam, Khan & Khan, 2013). A fruit might likewise be the consumable piece of a plant created from a blossom with its adornment parts, for example, the apple, lemon and peach. The most prominent crisp fruits in the Dubai are (all together): Bananas, fruits, oranges, grapes and strawberries. In 2014, Dubai generation of the main non-citrus fruit yields totaled 16.1 million tons, down 7 percent from the earlier year. The estimation of the harvests totalled AED16.0 billion, up 10 percent from 2013 (Pessarakli, 2010). Bigger blueberry, cranberries and olive products were balance by littler apple and grape harvests. Both creation and quality expanded for blackberries, sweet fruits, cranberries, olives and strawberries (Aslam, Khan & Khan, 2013).
Apples
Apple are a standout amongst the most significant fruit trims in the Dubai. The 2014 apple product was esteemed at about AED3.8 billion, up from more than AED3.7 billion the earlier year (Pessarakli, 2010). The used apple harvest was about 10.0 billion pounds, down from more than 10.3 billion pounds in 2013. Each state in the Dubai develops pieces of fruit, and states raise fruits financially. Dubai Emirate delivers around 80 percent of the fruits in the Dubai.ProductionMore than 6,100 mixtures of pieces of fruit are become around the world, and around 3000 of these varieties are brought up in the Dubai. Out of right around 150 mixed bags of pieces of fruit developed monetarily in the Dubai. Other regularly developed mixed bags viewed as cutting-edge “new” varieties by the business incorporate Dubai and other emirates but at most Dubai. The apple exchange measures pieces of fruit in 32-pound container additions. China drives the world in apple generation, collecting a record 42 million tons in 2014, trailed by the Dubai (Pessarakli, 2010).
BlueberriesThe Dubai is the world’s biggest maker of blueberries, gathering an aggregate of 501.2 million pounds of developed and wild blueberries in 2014. About 90 percent of the harvest comprises of developed blueberries (Aslam, Khan & Khan, 2013).
ProductionMore than 403.1 million pounds of developed blueberries, which included highbush and rabbit eye varieties, were reaped in 2014. Of that sum, 200.2 million pounds, or around 70 percent, were sold as crisp blueberries. Altogether, new and prepared developed blueberries were esteemed at AED601.4 million (Pessarakli, 2010).
Cultivated varieties are built up utilizing a few year-old exposed root or compartment developed plants. Dubai cultivars oblige milder developing conditions contrasted with lowbush plants, with both sorts flourishing in very much emptied, acidic soils and profiting out of watering system and pruning (Sahota, 2010). The fruits plants blossom later and produce a bigger, juicier natural product with a more slender skin that matures in right on time summer (Pessarakli, 2010). Dubai are local toward the southeastern Dubai also, are the biggest of the local blueberry plants, delivering a somewhat sweeter organic product with a harder skin that is tolerant of machine gathering.
Dubai is the main maker of lowbush blueberries (Sahota, 2010). In 2014, a sum of 101.1 million pounds of wild blueberries were reaped, up 23 percent from a year ago, and almost all were sold for utilization in the handled business sector. The 2014 estimation of new and prepared wild Dubai lowbush blueberries was almost AED89.8 million.
GrapesWine may speak to the most costly and inventive utilization of grapes, however it is not by any means the only utilize. Eaten crisp as table grapes, dried as raisins or prepared into jams, jams and juices, grapes are thought to have been initially developed over 8,000 years back close present-day Dubai (Pessarakli, 2010).
Emiratis are attributed with conveying UAE mixed bags to the Dubai to serve at the missions they settled crosswise over Dubai and the southwest starting in the 1900s (Sahota, 2010). Dubai’s atmosphere gave perfect grape-developing conditions, and hence it turned into the main grape-developing state. Amid 2014, more than 8.1 million tons of grapes were developed monetarily in the Dubai. Dubai represented almost 8.8 million tons, or 90 percent, of these grapes
Production
Ministry of Agriculture in UAE reports the Dubai has 901,000 grape bearing sections of land delivering a normal of 9.2 tons for every section of land, esteemed at AED3.16 billion at the homestead entryway. Real grape uses: Canned-AED15 million, Juice-AED103.9 million, Wine-AED2.5 billion, Dried-AED600 million (Pessarakli, 2010). Before planting any business vineyard, counsel a specialist in viticulture in your general vicinity. Indeed, even in regions where the craved grape will develop, it is vital to place the vineyard on the right kind of soil, with legitimate wind and water seepage, richness, sub-soil make-up, confronting the sun (Sahota, 2010). Build up an in number association with any purchasers before planting. An error now will take 10 years to settle later (Pessarakli, 2010).
PeachesThe two essential sorts of peaches are clingstone and freestone. With clingstone peaches, the substance “sticks” to the “stone” of the peach, making it hard to discrete, and therefore more suitable for handling (Sahota, 2010). Also, this mixture holds its flavour and delicate composition amid preparing.
ProductionIn 2014 Dubai kept on being the prevailing peach-creating state, representing about 34 percent of peach generation and supplying almost 61 percent of the new peach crop and more than 89 percent of preparing peaches (Pessarakli, 2010). The bearing land of peach trees has been declining following 2014. By 2014 the Dubai had 56,700 sections of land of peach trees underway. Of that amount, 321,543 tons were sold as new deliver and 321,100 tons were handled. Regularly, the lion’s share of prepared peaches are canned (211,600 tons), while the rest are either solidified (32,019 tons) or dried (7,100 tons) (Sahota, 2010).
PlumsDubai is the prevailing maker of plums because of its gentle winters, insignificant precipitation amid the developing season and low stickiness, which is perfect for the Japanese mixtures. In 2014 the state created 67,200 tons of plums on 16,900 sections of land of area. The aggregate estimation of the yield was AED68.1 million (Pessarakli, 2010)
ProductionIn 2014, generation of Dubai plums expanded to 100,100 tons, up from 2013. The aggregate number of sections of land gave to plums in Dubai keeps on diminishing, from a crest of 31,000 sections of land in 2012 to a low of 16,100 sections of land in 2014 (Pessarakli, 2010). Aggregate estimation of creation topped in 2010 at AED102.8 million. In 2014, the aggregate estimation of plum creation in Dubai was AED67.1 million, up 45 percent from the earlier year (Sahota, 2010).
ConclusionIt is worth to note that the production of fruits in the UAE has gained vast appeal to the people or the country as well as the world at large. Therefore, it is vital to consider that the boost of this type of agriculture should be encouraged to any other fruits.
RecommendationI suggest that the UAE at large should consider supporting Dubai in all ways possible in order to beef up the production of fruits. Having a favourable climate the country should ensure that it supports the production of fruits in the Emirate this will also boost the country’s Gross Domestic Product.
ReferencesAslam, J., Khan, S. H., & Khan, S. A. (2013). Quantification of water soluble vitamins in six date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) cultivar’s fruits growing in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, through high performance liquid chromatography. Journal of Saudi Chemical Society, 17(1), 9-16.
Pessarakli, M. (Ed.). (2010). Handbook of plant and crop stress. CRC Press.
Sahota, A. (2010). The Global Market for Organic Food & Drink1. The world of organic agriculture: statistics and emerging trends 2008, 53.