Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/53575
MAP funds granted for stone fruits For the first time, the Washington State Fruit Commission will run an export promotion program for stone fruit. by Melissa Hansen W ith federal budget cuts looming, the future is murky for the U.S. Depart- ment of Agriculture's market access program (MAP) that partners with commodity groups and companies to provide matching export promo- tion money. But in the short term—at least for the 2012 fiscal year— Northwest cherry and stone fruit growers will have more MAP funds than ever for promotion in export markets. The Foreign Agricultural Service, the branch of USDA that runs MAP, has approved a first-time program for Washington stone fruit (peaches, nectarines, apricots, and plums/prunes). The Washington State Fruit Commission will receive $250,000 in 2012 to expand stone fruit export markets in Canada, Mexico, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Singapore. The Fruit Commission and shippers will provide matching funds. Ingrid Mohn, FAS market development specialist, said that the new stone fruit pro- gram is one of very few new export programs. "Money was left on the table from the dis- solution of the California Tree Fruit Agreement," she said during the Fruit Commission's Dissolution of the California Tree Fruit Agreement created opportunity for Washington State stone fruit, says Ingrid Mohn, FAS market development specialist. About $250,000 was redirected to a new market access program for Washington's stone fruit. 8 FEBRUARY 1, 2012 GOOD FRUIT GROWER www.goodfruit.com melissa hansen