Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/128999
GOOD POINT Jim Allen, New York Apple Association China! Increased apple sales that go west from Seattle are good for the rest of the country's producers. I have talked about the immediate threat of the excessive increases in apple production from Washington State and went so far as to say that while we worry about foreign imports, we need to be acutely aware of our own domestic production numbers. While many may shudder to see Washington State and China in the same sentence or compared to each other in any fashion, the fact does remain that an extra 30 to 35 million bushels of fresh apples, from anywhere, is a threat to a profitable apple market. Recently, I attended the Fruit Logistica Trade Show in Berlin, Germany, which is listed as the largest fresh fruit expo in the world, attracting over 55,000 visitors. The U.S. Apple Export Council shared in a USA Fruit booth, showcasing non-Washington State apples along with USA pears and grapes. Adjacent to our booth were, of course, the Washington Apple Commission and a number of individual Washington apple shippers, who also had a large presence at the show—as they should! Just about every known apple and appleproducing area had representation there, and they are all vying for markets around the world. Buyers from across the world attend this show, and unlike U.S. trade shows, this setting does generate sales, orders, and new market relationships. If you want to sell in the world market, this is the place to be. A number of the large Washington n k oo in he Ch t et G "30% SAVINGS in fuel is HUGE." FORD TRITON V-10 or IVECO NEF 6.7 Diesel fa shippers/exporters have huge export programs and spend hundreds of thousands of dollars marketing their apples to faraway customers. God bless them, and if there is anything we can do to help that cause, sign us up! Some of them spend more than our yearly budget here at the New York Apple Association! Any increased sales of Washington apples that go west from Seattle are good for us! Speaking with Washington Apple Commission folks, as well as Washington growers and marketers, the story that was repeated the most was, "If you think 130 million bushels is a lot, just wait!" The new norm could be 145 million and up. No one is boasting or bragging about what is to come; they are all just stating facts. And then, of course, there is the rest of the country's production. Political issues With this said, at the same time we are all scratching our heads over what could be, a number of political issues exist that could have enormous effects on the market. One such volatile and controversial issue is Washington's request to the People's Republic of China to legally allow more varieties into China. Currently, only Red and Golden Delicious apples can be shipped, while other varieties, such as Gala, Grannies, Braeburn, and Cripps Pink, are being smuggled into the mainland through the grey market. This, of course, restricts open sales, increases prices, and limits the volume. In order for Washington producers to increase their export sales to China, they need full access to the market. To put it another way, in order for Washington to increase overall export sales by 30-plus million cartons a year, to offset rapidly increasing production, they cannot do that without full access to China. The Hong Kong market, which is the destination for I've been doing business with H.F. Hauff Company since the shipments that eventually end up in the Chinese e! 1978. I like to say that they engineer their products with a ag grey market, ranks number six in volume. Having legal farmer's mentality in mind. nt varietal access to China could easily bump the volume a The Victair Sprayers are reliable and built to use for a dv up to the Mexican or Canadian levels. Of course, with long time. Application windows can be short and you just can't a e approved access to China comes the tradeoff, which afford to have down time. The Victair Sprayers just don't break down! d la And any necessary repairs are simple to make. would be, without a doubt, Chinese access to the U.S. b I'm currently putting in 330 acres of grapes west of market with fresh apples. Just recently, the U.S. pear Roseburg, Oregon. I believe the best grapes will always industry received clearance to ship pears to China, and have a home, and putting in the best vineyard is essenthey are ecstatic. Yes, China grows pears. At some point tial, so I just purchased 11 Chinook Wind in time, and possibly in the near future, I truly believe Machines, my first order of 23 for this vineyard. I that the U.S. apple industry (in addition to Washington) look at my wind machines as an insurance plan. will have to make a stand, or state a position about In today's world, you cannot afford to lose a crop. If supporting open access to China for U.S. apples. you save just a quarter of a crop, you have paid for the We have, in the past, had a firm position opposing machines. Another reason I like the Chinook is that any importation of Chinese apples into the United States there is no dead zone below prop like with other based on the sound science that Chinese apples would machines. The way other increase the threat of disease and pests that are not props are designed, they currently in this country and could cause severe damage don't push air down to our growing areas. We stand solid on this position. around the tower. But soon, China will put forth claims on how they will The Chinook puts out 30% more air, so you can mitigate those risks and would be able to protect the stretch the towers out spread of pests and diseases into our country. Whether "Victair Sprayers are reliable farther or get more air we believe them or not, if and when the claims can be and built to use for a long time." movement and they use substantiated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's less fuel because the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), machines are more the entire issue will take on a new look. Many strongly efficient, 30% savings believe it is only a matter of time before those claims will in fuel is huge! be made and proven for APHIS to say, come on in! The H.F. Hauff compaMeanwhile, Washington needs to sell more apples ny has tremendous to China. So, as the Allstate man says, "Where do you integrity and that says a stand?" Do we help Washington gain access to China, lot. I like the fact that realizing that would certainly accelerate Chinese apples they stay in touch with into the United States? Do we stand tough against China their growers. and Washington, saying no to both? And finally, the BILL HENRI NAMPA, CALIFORNIA worst case scenario is that our government welcomes China in, while they continue to keep us out! ENGINEERING RELIABILITY & PERFORMANCE Of course, it is not our decision, is it? If it becomes 2921 Sutherland Park Dr., Yakima, WA 98903-1891 a real political issue, New York, Michigan, and P ennsylvania have 61 House votes; Washington has 11. fax 509-248-0914 Something to think about. H.F HAUFF . COMPANY INC. 509-248-0318 hfhauff@gmail.com 44 May 15, 2013 GOOD FRUIT GROWER www.hfhauff.com • www.goodfruit.com