Volumes of US apples sent to markets in South East Asia are increasing, and the region is becoming a more important destination for US exporters.
Exports from the east coast in particular are on the rise, according toKris Marceca, executive director of the US Apple Export Council (USAEC). USAEC members exported around 100,000 cartons to South East Asia last year, and have alreadybeaten that figure in the 2010/11 selling season, said Ms Marceca.
“From a USAEC point of view, the South East Asian market is beginning to open up to bigger volumes,” she said, quoted in a report on Fresh Plaza.
“We’re not trying to sell huge volume into Asia and we have no interest in sending apples into the market that threaten local production. We have a huge market of our own in the US and we know what being a domestic producer is all about.
“But new plantings amongst our members mean that production volume is going to increase gradually over the next few seasons and we obviously want to find new customers for the varieties that add value for the consumer and dovetail with local supply patterns.”
So far, US apple exports to South East Asia have mainly come from production areas on the country’s west coast. Washington Red Delicious apples have become a common sight in fruit retailers across Asia.
But business from the east coast is on the rise, and brings with it a different mix of varieties.
“Our customers in South East Asia continue to increase their purchases and are swiftly becoming big fans of the New York Empire,” explained Jim Allen, president of the New York Apple Association.
“This, of course is all new business for our exporters. In addition we are making increased penetration into India, and exports to Russia, although not as large in volume, are also growing. All of this bodes well for New York exporters.”
Varieties like Empire have seen particular interest from retailers in Thailand and Singapore, the Fresh Plaza report said.
“Each of our export destinations has different tastes,” stated Kaari Stannard, president of exporter New York Apple Sales. “Volume sales into Thailand and Singapore have grown quickly and they are very interested in our regional apples such as the Empire, Mcintosh and Crispin. India is more focused on Red Delicious and Gala. That dovetails very well with the UK, which prefers Empire and Russia, where customers are focused mainly on Rome and also take some Crispin.”
US exporters appear to be finding it easy working with South East Asia’s fixed price, quality-conscious importers.
