Washington apple commission

US apple sellers hope Chinese ban will end

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Chinese agricultural officials are close to allowing Washington state’s Red and Golden Delicious apples back into China next month after a two-year ban. It is unclear if that will also open up the US import of apples from China, which produces half the world’s apples.

The ban was imposed on Washington, which supplies 80 percent of America’s apples, after a shipment to China in early 2012 was declared to be carrying “postharvest diseases.”

US agricultural officials fought the ban last year, claiming that any diseases in the 2012 shipment only affected crab apples for pollination.

According to the Northwest Horticultural Council, agricultural representatives from both countries met in Xiamen, China, earlier in November, and agreed to new inspections by Chinese officials of Golden Delicious and Red Delicious apples in Washington.

With a surplus forecast of 15 million bushels of apples in Washington over the next few years because of increased plantings, Washington growers hope to cash in on the growing Chinese market even as the potential opening of the US market will possibly have them competing with Chinese brands at home.

www.freshplaza.com

US (WA): Increased productivity makes for another big apple crop

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In the face of decreasing acreage over the last several years, Washington’s apple growers have continually improved productivity. That has helped the state’s growers return another big apple crop this year, which, though it is less than last year’s record-setting crop, is the second-largest crop in state history.

“The crop estimate in August was 120 million bushels, and December’s final estimate was 113 million bushels,” said Todd Fryhover, President of the Washington State Apple Commission. But even after the downward adjustment, 113 million bushels would be the state’s second-largest crop ever, behind last year’s crop of 128 million bushels. Fryhover noted that the trend has been for acreage to go down over the last few years, so two large crops in a row has to do with the gains in productivity that growers have achieved.

“Production keeps going up because growers are doing better with what they have, and they’re more efficient,” said Fryhover. Growers have also leaned on varieties that allow them to be more productive. Fryhover noted that Gala apples have become popular because growers appreciate the relative ease with which they can grow the variety, especially since it’s well adapted to the state’s climate. Another winner has been the Honey Crisp apple, which Fryhover thinks has the potential to double in volume over the next three years. As far as prices, he noted that they have not been on par with those from last year.

“There were crop failures in Michigan and New York last year, so when we had a bumper crop last year there was little fruit coming from the east and we had very good prices despite the volume we had,” said Fryhover. “But with eastern states having record years this season, we have seen a downturn in prices.” But he added that growers with premium quality and good sizes can still do well this year, despite softer prices from increased competition.

“Even with big volumes here and in Pennsylvania and New York, there’s remarkable optimism right now,” said Fryhover. “It’s going to be an okay year; not super and not bad, but adequate.”

www.freshplaza.com

US (WA): Apple production down from initial estimates

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Temperature fluctuations throughout the year have contributed to a Washington apple crop that will likely net less fruit than was initially anticipated. While most varieties suffered from diminished output, Granny Smith apples actually increased in volume over last year’s numbers.

“We started out with a strong estimate, but due to certain weather conditions, this turned out to be a short crop,” said Howard Nager, vice president of marketing for Domex Superfresh Growers in Yakima, Washington. Estimates at the beginning of the season put this year’s crop near 120 million boxes, but Nager noted that estimates last month put volume closer to 113 million boxes, and the dip has cut across almost all varieties.

“We’ve seen decreases in just about every variety except Granny Smith, which has seen a 15 percent increase over last year,” said Nager. That also extends to organic varieties, which suffered similar dips. Nager pointed to temperature fluctuations throughout the season as the likely reason for less volume this season. Cool weather greeted the start of this year’s harvest, and alternating warm then cool weather in August and September affected this year’s fruit.

“It wasn’t one weather event, like a big storm or hail that did it,” said Nager. But he pointed to larger fruit this year as a bright spot this season, and there are opportunities for retailers to push some varieties.

“There are good promotional opportunities on larger-sized fruit, which translates to good pricing for consumers,” said Nager. “What we need to do now is move the crop in a consistent manner.”

www.freshplaza.com

Russian retailers see Washington harvest

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Produce buyers from five Russian retail chains, who came to Washington State this week to learn about the tree fruit industry, said they were impressed by the technology in orchards and packing houses, as well as by the openness of the people.

This was the first trip to the United States for the buyers, who represent four retailers in western Russia and one in the Russian Far East. They were accompanied by Ksenia Gorovaya of CrispConsulting, who represents the Washington Apple Commission and Pear Bureau Northwest in Russia.

Rebecca Lyons, export marketing manager with the Apple Commission, said such reverse trade missions are fairly rare and are usually arranged for buyers in new markets where the tree fruit industry doesn’t have many existing contacts.

Russia is an established market, but Gorovaya said what’s new is that retailers are beginning to import directly from suppliers. Traditionally, fruit has been shipped through importers and then wholesalers before reaching retailers.

“Now, they’re cutting out the middle man,” she said. However, it will be a gradual process because importers are still strong and the retail industry is not consolidated. No single retailer in Russia has more than a 5 percent market share.

www.goodfruit.com

Вашингтонская яблочная комиссия на WorldFood Moscow 2013

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WorldFood Moscow,

16-19 сентября

Экспоцентр на Красной Пресне

Павильон 2.2, стенд D531 (Американский павильон)

Каждый год Вашингтонская Яблочная Комиссия представляет яблоки штата Вашингтон на выставке WorldFood Moscow.

На выставке можно будет получить всю информацию о сортах яблок штата Вашингтон – Ред и Голден Делишез, Гала, Фуджи, Гренни Смит, Криппс Пинк, Ханикрисп, Камео и Брэберн, о сезонности поставок, а также узнать последние новости урожая яблок.

На стенде можно получить все необходимые контакты поставщиков яблок штата Вашингтон.

Вашингтонская яблочная комиссия объединяет фермеров, выращивающих яблоки в штате Вашингтон. Штат производит до 60 % всех яблок в США, что составляет более 100 миллионов бушелей в год (бушель — коробка весом 20 килограмм). В этом году урожай ожидается даже больше 120 миллионов бушелей яблок, и хотя урожай Ред Делишез, Фуджи и Голден Де­лишез будет меньше по объему, вырастет урожай сортов Гренни Смит, Ханикрисп и клубных сор­тов ­яблок.

Дополнительную информацию о яблоках штата Вашингтон Вы найдете на нашем сайте www.bestapples.ru или www.bestapples.com

Мы приглашаем Вас на наш стенд!

Для организации встреч на выставке World Food Moscow 2013:

Тел. +7 (812) 702-7151

E-mail: info@crispconsulting.agency

Конкурс Applephoto на Facebook

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Чтобы принять участие в конкурсе Applephoto, надо купить яблоки штата Вашингтон, сфотографируйсь вместе с ними и выложите фотографию на страницу facebook.com/WashingtonApplesRussia.

Победителем становится участник, выложивший фотографию, которая наберет большее количествоголосов до конца конкурса.

Конкурс продлится с 1 февраля по 2 марта, 3 марта подведение итогов конкурса.

*Главный приз – iPod shuffle!

Подробная информация здесь www.facebook.com/WashingtonApplesRussia