Washington State's apple industry is eyeing an immediate return to the Chinese market, after the USDA confirmed it has won back market access to the People’s Republic.
Asiafruit understands the access is restricted to Washington-grown Red and Gold Delicious varieties. Todd Fryhover, president of the Washington Apple Commission (WAC), said it was a significant win for Washington growers, who are in the final stages of harvesting a potentially record crop.
“Clearly, China has great potential for Washington apples, with an increasing middle class willing to purchase high quality apples,” Fryhover told Good Fruit Grower. “This year, with our record crop, Chinese consumers will again have opportunity to enjoy Washington apples and our growers will have access to this important market.”
Earlier this year, WAC announced that it had set aside US$743,500 for the reintroduction of promotional programmes in the Chinese market. The industry body suspended its retail promotions in the Asian nation two years ago, after market access was revoked in August 2012.
China had been a lucrative market for the Washington industry, with over 700,000 cartons shipped directly to the Asian market over the 2010/11 season.
