Tariffs on red and golden delicious apples grown in the US state of Washington have been lifted by the Mexican government this week, opening the door for fee-free exports south of the border for the first time in 14 years.
A near-50 per cent duty, something that has limited competition since being introduced in 1996, has now been eliminated, possibly increasing Washington packer and shipper activity, according to a report by kdnu.com.
'There will be some packers and shippers who haven't been terribly active in the market who I think will be more so now,' Jim Archer, manager of Northwest Fruit Exporters, told the publication.
However, many local exporters said that they were more concerned with the 20 per cent tariff on cherries, apricots and other soft fruits, fees that have been in place since March 2009 in retaliation to the US ending a programme that allowed Mexican truckers to drive in the country.
