Apple Exports

Apple Exports. I'm Greg Martin with today's Fruit Grower Report. Recently, Washington Governor Christine Gregoire led a group of ag leaders and others on a two-week trade mission to China and Vietnam. Todd Fryhover, President of the Washington Apple Commission was a part of that group and was pleased with the outcome. FRYHOVER: China, of course, is one of our priorities. They're, of course, the world's largest producer of apples but they're our 4th largest importer of Washington apples as well. In general the Governor's mission went fantastically. I think the Governor did a wonderful job on promoting Washington agriculture. The Governor and the various members of the group participated in many retail promotional activities designed to show off Washington products. Whether there will be in increase in trade is yet to be seen. FRYHOVER: Like anything, these things take time. I don't know that we'll see increases in exports instantaneously but over the course of time developing those relationships at the government level are very valuable. Washington Ag Director Dan Newhouse was also a part of the delegation and says the work is really now just beginning to develop those export markets further. In addition to the ag industry the 100-member delegation included representatives from life sciences, clean energy, tourism and higher education industries in Washington. It was the largest and most diverse trade delegation ever to join a governor's mission. That's today's Fruit Grower Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.