Citrus and apple growers will be able to sell more products with trade breakthroughs
US secretary of agriculture Brooke L Rollins has announced improved access to Thailand for citrus and apples as part of the government’s efforts to break down non-tariff barriers and defend current market access.
According to USDA release, on 4 June Thailand’s Department of Agriculture (DOA) approved the re-opening of market access for US apples from the eastern states of Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, and Viginia. Prior to this decision, only U.S. apples from California, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington were approved to be exported to Thailand.
Thailand’s DOA also amended the import requirements for citrus fruits from Arizona. The amendment allows for the export of citrus produced in Arizona but packed and shipped from California. This comes as the result of requests from the US Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and is a shift from previous requirements that required citrus from Arizona to also be packed in Arizona.
The release said the estimated additional value of eastern US apple exports to Thailand is expected to be approximately US$5mn annually and the estimated value of the citrus exports from Arizona to Thailand is expected to be approximately US$385,000 annually.
“American farmers and ranchers grow the safest, most abundant food supply in the world,” said secretary Rollins.
“Expanded access to Brazil, Thailand, and Vietnam will result in millions in added trade for the US.”
