The last few seasons have been problematic for US apple shippers dealing with the UK and European market. While issues with morpholine and DPA affected producers and exporters around the world, the timing in the calendar and short-, medium- and long-term implications of both meant the impact on the US apple industry was arguably greater than anywhere.
As a result, fewer shippers are still involved with the historical business with the old continent, as the constraints imposed upon them have made sendings less commercially viable and more risky. However, New York’s apple industry has kept its nerveand, says Jim Allen, president of the New York Apple Association, the state’s shippers continue to work hard to meet the stringent import restrictions that the EU places on their industry.
“Many US apple shippers have found that meeting and complying with the over-burdensome regulations has created undue risk and itdrasticallyincreases the cost of doing business,” says Allen. “In today’s very competitive global market, especially given the situation in Russia, the objective is to hold the line on costs, not to increase them.”
As is the case with the rest of North America, there are fewer New York shippers involved in the European job these days, but Allen says those that remain in the game are as committed as ever. “Despite the political and EU barriers, a [comparatively] small number of NY apple exports continue to meet and satisfy the demands of the marketplace and continue to provide NY State apples to the UK and Europe.”
Empire is still the number-one variety by volume, followed by Red Delicious and McIntosh. Presently – and through until July – NY Red Delicious is holding a strong and prominent position in one major UK retailer.
“Volume and shipments to the EU are steadily declining from year to year; this year that is primarily because of tensions in the EU and Russia, and the ever-increasing trade barriers that the EU continues to implement,” Allen says.
“Our shippers’ 2015 volumes year-to-date are tracking behind 2014.Seventy-seven loads of Empire have been shipped, 15 loads of Macs and [at the time of writing] 14 loads of Red Delicious, with loads still to be shipped.”
One shipper that remains heavily involved in the UK is United Apple Sales. International account manager Brett Baker says: “This season has been much like the past for Empire.One account up some, one account down some.The net would be about the same.” The firm took a calculated risk to introduce a greater volume of McIntosh this season, as the variety lost favour with some customers due to inconsistent performance. It paid off, he adds.
“McIntosh arrivals went well; better than expected. We are encouraged and will look to expand on that next year. I’m a little concerned at this point that the strength of the dollar against a weakening euro could make it more challenging to find homes for our fruit next season, but United Apple Sales will continue to place a high priority on the UK/EU market.We are expanding our DPA-free storage network and will be visiting the EU in late August with hopes to develop sales programmes.”
“We (NY Apples) have done better than any other exporting group tomeet the challenges,” says Allen. “Our members have remained resolute to protect this market, and have risen to meet the demands. It has been an expensive exercise. As long as the return on that investment is favourable, then I expect business to continue.”
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