Mid-season export volumes are 16 times more than 2022/23 season totals
The Washington apple industry and government representatives have come together to mark the successful start of apple shipping season following India’s removal of retaliatory tariffs on US-grown apples.
US senator Maria Cantwell and Prakash Gupta, the consul general of the newly opened India Consulate in Seattle, were joined by apple growers from Central Washington and labour and port officials at an event at the Port of Seattle, at the end of February
“Apples are the pride of the Washington agricultural economy. They are known worldwide,” said Cantwell. “Today is a celebration because for five years now, we have not seen the volume of apples leaving these docks and traveling to India.”
Before the 20 per cent tariffs were imposed, Washington growers exported US$120m worth of apples to India, and at the lowest point, growers exported less than US$1m.
With the tariffs dropped for the 2023/24 season, growers have seen an immediate financial impact. According to the Washington State Apple Commission, at the mid-season point growers have shipped over 21,000 tonnes of apples to India this season with apple sales estimated to be about US$19.5m. By comparison, the 2022/23 season totals were just over 1,300 tonnes shipped and US$1.3m in sales.
Cantwell was a leading voice to end the retaliatory tariffs imposed in 2019 and in June 2023 she spoke on the Senate floor to announce their end.
“This is a new day in trade relations between the US and India,” Cantwell said. “We are very committed to growing the Washington-India relationship in many fronts and especially in agriculture.”
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