Oneonta Starr Ranch readies to ship apples to China

With word from the Washington Apple Commission on Oct. 29 that Washington's Red and Golden Delicious apples have been given market access to China, Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers in Wenatchee announced it is prepared to ship fruit the first week of November.

OSRG Marketing Director Scott Marboe said the reopening of China is especially good in a record-breaking production year, and he cited the company's familiarity with the Pacific Rim.

“As the leading export company in the state, we are thrilled we are back in the Chinese marketplace,” Marboe said. “We are known for our expertise in the region and for the work we did in the initial opening of the Pacific Rim. Now that restrictions have been lifted, we're confident China will continue to be a very valuable market for the state.”

Export Sales Manager Steve Reinholt agreed, adding, “Reds will make up 98 percent of what we ship, and we have a tremendous crop this year. It is the quality of fruit that is well-received there – big size and good colour and texture with excellent flavour. It should fit into the Chinese market very well.”

Reinholt said OSRG works directly with retail, wholesale and importers in China.
“We've been very strong there for a long time,” he said.

In August 2012 Washington apples were shut out of China when that country's government voiced concerns over a fungus said did not exist in China but was found on the imported apples. The closure was expected to last only one year.

Subsequent negotiations between China and the United States, including a visit by Chinese Plant Quarantine officials to Washington, ultimately paved the way for renewed trade.

While it ranks as the world's primary apple producer, China has also been one of the biggest markets for Washington apples. In the 2010-11 shipping year, the state exported more than 3 million cartons, and the 2014 record crop has potential to overshadow that export benchmark.

For more information:
Scott Marboe
Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers
Tel: +1 509-888-5120
Email: scottm@starranch.com

Publication date: Fri 31 Oct 2014