After over two years without direct access to China for Washington Red and Golden Delicious apples, the U.S. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) officially announced reinstatement of market access, effective immediately.

Shipments of Washington apples to the Asian country stopped in August 2012 when the Chinese government refused to issue import permits to Chinese importers, citing concerns with a recently discovered fungus they claimed was not in China. 

After two years of negotiations between the two governments, a recent site visit by Chinese Plant Quarantine officials, supported by APHIS, Northwest Fruit Exporters, Northwest Horticultural Council and industry members, was able to alleviate concerns of spreading the disease by mature, symptomless apples. 

The agreement calls for stepped up control measures through improved horticultural, packing and sampling procedures in Washington.

"Regaining this important market and expanding access to all varieties from all states is a top priority for USApple and the entire industry," U.S. Apple Association president Jim Bair said in a release.

"We commend the tireless efforts of the Northwest Horticultural Council, Northwest Fruit Exporters and Washington Apple Commission as well as the hard work at APHIS."

Washington Apple Commission president Todd Fryhover was also full of praise for the development, saying China clearly had great potential for Washington apples with an increasing middle class willing to purchase high quality fruit.

"This year, with our record crop, Chinese consumers will again have the opportunity to enjoy Washington apples, and our growers will have access to this important growth market," he said.

Although China is the world's largest apple producer, it is also a major market for Washington apples, eclipsing three million 40 pound cartons - or 54,446 metric tons (MT) - during the 2010-11 marketing year, making it the industry's fourth largest export market that season.

Growers are already taking preparing to take full advantage of the market opening, with Wenatchee-based Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers (OSRG) due to ship fruit to China in the first week of November.

OSRG marketing director Scott Marboe said the reopening of China was especially good in a record-breaking production year, and he cited the company's familiarity with the Pacific Rim.

"As the leading export company in the state, we are thrilled we are back in the Chinese marketplace," Marboe said.

"We are known for our expertise in the region and for the work we did in the initial opening of the Pacific Rim. Now that restrictions have been lifted, we're confident China will continue to be a very valuable market for the state."

Red apples will make up 98% of the entity's China-bound volumes.

"It is the quality of fruit that is well-received there – big size and good color and texture with excellent flavor," export sales manager Steve Reinholt said.

"It should fit into the Chinese market very well."

Photo: Wikimedia Creative Commons

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