Year In Review Part 2

2015 had some interesting twists when it came to the tree fruit industry. Early in the year saw the introduction of a new genetically modified apple. The USDA approved two varieties of biotech apples developed by a Canadian company, Okanagan Specialty Fruits — one called Arctic Granny, and the other Arctic Golden. USDA maintains that Arctic apples are "not likely to have a significant impact on the human environment."

The port resolution took time to get all the kinks worked out and fortunately it didn't really bother the early cherry crop since a lot of it is exported by air. But President of the Washington State Fruit Commission, BJ Thurlby said there was concern.

THURLBY: Definitely an impact but not as certainly as I think that we've seen in the apple business here this winter. It's had a severe impact on our exports. Still been strong but space has been so limited that we've been down to some places 60-70% of what capacity would have been.

A proposed low carbon fuel standard that while on the surface appeared to be a good thing could have a very detrimental effect according to Ranie Haas, Director of Regulatory & Industry Affairs, Washington State Tree Fruit Association.

HAAS: Trucks are the main mode of the transportation from packing houses to our customers. There have been some studies that have show that this proposals going to be increasing the price of fuel by a dollar or more per gallon.

That's today's Fruit Grower Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network of the West.