WASHINGTON, D.C. – The USDA has reached an agreement with Chinese officials to allow all U.S. grown apples to gain access to the Chinese market.
Speaking on this agreement, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said, “USDA values the relationship we are forging with China to bring mutually-beneficial food and agricultural trade to Americans and Chinese alike.”
He continued, “The new access for American exports we’re announcing today is the culmination of decades of hard work by USDA staff. These efforts will result in high quality, fresh U.S. apple varieties for consumers in China and a significant boost in sales for American apple producers.”
According to a press release, this will allow a greater share of U.S. apple exports to China in the coming months. It also has the potential to increase U.S. fresh apple exports, which were valued at over $1 billion in 2013, by approximately 10%.
AndNowUKnow spoke to New York Apple Association President Jim Allen about this new agreement.
"We're certainly excited about the prospect of shipping New York apples to Chinese consumers," Jim said. "Anytime a new market of this size and scale opens up, it makes for good news for growers of all stripes. This is certainly true here in New York. New York apple growers will be looking forward to make the most of this landmark agreement, as we work to forge new connections with Chinese consumers and communicate the kind of quality they can learn to count on from New York's growers."
With this new agreement, the apple industry estimates that within two years, exports to China are expected to reach 5 million bushels annually, a value of nearly $100 million each year.
The agreement was reached through bilateral discussions between USDA and China’s General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) in San Francisco.
Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for the latest on this new trade agreement.
