News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - December 22, 1998
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke requests support for apple industry

OLYMPIA — In a letter to U.S. Commerce Secretary William M. Daley, Gov. Gary Locke today requested support for the apple industry in its preparation of an apple juice concentrate anti-dumping case against China and other foreign exporters to the United States. The U.S. Apple Association, with the support of the Washington Apple Commission, is spearheading the anti-dumping investigation.

"I have seen the apples eastern Washington this year, left on the trees or rotting on the ground," said Locke after a recent trip to eastern Washington. "It is sad when the prices paid to growers do not even cover the costs of harvesting."

The U.S. Commerce Department reports that imports of apple juice concentrate from China alone have increased 953 percent since 1995. At the same time, the cost of the Chinese concentrate has dropped by 53 percent during the last three years. The result has driven other exporters like Hungary, Chile and Argentina to drop prices as well or be driven from the market.

The impact on Washington growers has been dramatic. The price paid to Washington growers for processing apples has dropped from $150 per ton in 1995, to $90 to $100 per ton in July of 1997, and $10 to $20 per ton today. At $10 per ton, the price does not cover the cost of picking.

Locke also has asked Director of Agriculture Jim Jesernig to support the U.S. Apple Association efforts by intervening on behalf of the Washington apple growers.

Members of the apple industry have expressed strong support for Locke's action. "We are very appreciative of Governor Locke's support and willingness to intervene in the pending apple juice concentrate anti-dumping case," said Kraig Naasz, president of U.S. Apple Association.

"Governor Locke is to be commended for coming to the aid of the Washington apple industry," added Christian Schlect, president of the Northwest Horticultural Council. "His active support of an anti-dumping case aimed at preventing the unfair importation of huge volumes of apple juice concentrate is good news for our industry and all those who rely on a strong agricultural sector as the bedrock of a healthy state economy."

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