A number of U.S. specialty crops, including apples and cherries, are on China’s list of proposed retaliatory tariffs. Although Mexico is by far the top destination for fresh U.S. apples, China is an important market due to its expansion potential. The Washington apple industry has worked hard to open the market in China, and its efforts have certainly showed results. China imported just 1.6 million pounds of U.S. apples in 2013/14, and import volume rose to 40.3 million in 2016/17! If Washington apple growers lose some of this access to the Chinese market, more of the state’s apples may be diverted to our domestic fresh market. This in turn may force growers in other states to sell more apples to processors, reducing grower profit margin.

Fresh U.S. apple exports, by destination

Source: USDA
Posted by: Information Services
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