Larger apple crops create export opportunities
Larger apple crops create export opportunities
With expectations that the volume of Washington's annual apple crop will continue to increase in the future, the industry is recognizing the importance that development of export markets will hold in moving product into the pipeline. Todd Fryhover, president of the Washington Apple Commission, told The Produce News, "Washington is going to have to increase its export opportunities by 10-15 percent. This is an interesting year. We somewhat have our finger on the pulse."
The ongoing development of export markets will become increasingly important in years to come as the size of Washington's annual apple crop continues to grow in volume. (Photo courtesy of the Washington Apple Commission)Fryhover said apple growers have had some good years, and newer blocks of trees continue to come into bearing. He provided some assessments and insights about the current season. "We will have a little over 119 million cartons of apples this season. This is down 10 million boxes from last year. But this will be our second largest crop."
The 2012-13 apple season is finishing up, and Fryhover said 40 million packages were exported. "Mexico has been phenomenal," he stated. "We hope that continues. Canada has been great. Taiwan was up almost 30 percent this past year." Central America and Southeast Asia have been slated as important developing markets.
On the negative side of the balance sheet are the United Kingdom and China.
Fluctuations in the value of currency have also had an impact. According to Fryhover, exports to India all but shut down due to the devaluation of India's rupee.
Apple varieties such as Gala and Granny Smith are increasingly making their way offshore. "They are moving into export markets where they might not have gone before," Fryhover stated.
