Apple Export Challenges Pt 1
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson with today’s Fruit Grower Report. Exporting northwest tree fruit has been a particular challenge in recent months and years, and apples are no exception.
Of their biggest challenges, Todd Fryhover, president of the Washington Apple Commission says …
FRYHOVER … “The exporting logistics has really created a problem for our industry, you know, just from the standpoint that consumers are waiting for our product, but all of the sudden it’s not on the shelf, or it takes a week, or it takes two weeks. So that’s a big problem.”
But, is that the biggest problem? …
FRYHOVER … “That’s probably the most important thing, but unfortunately that is not just one place to go in and fix. You have multiple entities that have to all perform at the same time to create that efficiency. And, it’s just going to take some time before that actually happens.”
So, Fryhover says they have gotten a bit of a reprieve, but …
FRYHOVER … “You know, when we can’t ship offshore or it’s delayed going offshore, then we have three choices. We have the U.S. domestic market, which can put pricing pressure. And then we have Canada and Mexico, which can do the same. So, our focus here at the Apple Commission on the promotional side is to really emphasize Canada and Mexico moving into the future.”
Tune in tomorrow for more on Apple exports OR check out the “Bearing Fruit” podcast link at www.wstfa.org to hear all of
Fryhover’s comment about export challenges. You can also find Bearing Fruit on most of your favorite podcast apps.
