Port strikes upset market balance

Port problems in the West are changing the market situation. Some fruit that was targeted for export to the Far East is being pulled back and sold in North American markets.

“Some of the fruit that we have targeted to the Far East is being redirected into North American markets. We are hearing of a meeting this week on the port status and are hopeful for an agreement,” says Howard Nager from Domex Superfresh Growers. The timing of this slowdown has been unfortunate as November and December are some of the busiest times of the year.

However with a record crop Washington growers and shippers can provide more options and flexibility to retailers and consumers. “Because of the heavy volumes and vintage crop of Washington apples, we will be able deliver our customers greater volumes and greater promotional opportunities for a longer period of time, so they might not have to shift to Southern Hemisphere apples at all.” says Howard Nager of Domex Superfresh Growers.

“In New York the growers did not have a record crop this year, but a very high quality crop,”says James Allen from New York Apple Association. “The volume from Washington has put some pressure on the prices, and now the port problems are causing exports to back up. This gives our shippers some extra challenges.”