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| Horticultural & Tropical Products Division | Return to the H&TP Home Page |
November 17, 2000
China Lifts Ban On Fresh Grapes From Riverside County, California
On October 31, 2000, FAS was informed that China had agreed to
allow imports of table grapes from Riverside County, California.
The decision was made following the effective Medfly eradication
program that was undertaken by APHIS in Riverside County in 1999.
With this development, China’s market is now open to all
commercial grape producing regions in California. A phytosanitary
agreement was finalized in May 1997, which granted California
table grapes official access to China. However, only grapes
produced in Kern, Tulare, Fresno and Madera counties were
initially allowed access. King's County was added to the approved
list in the Fall of 1997. Since the market opening, China has
become an important outlet, with direct shipments valued at $9
million in 1998. Although direct exports to mainland China were
valued at only $1.3 million in 1999, increased sales to Hong Kong
offset this decline. Exports to Hong Kong, the second largest
market for California grapes, were valued at $50 million in 1999.
FDA to Inspect Guatemalan Raspberry Farms
Officials from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are
scheduled to visit Guatemala’s raspberry farms between
November 11- 20, 2000. During this visit, they will conduct an
inspection of the public health situation regarding raspberries
and their shipments to the United States. These inspections will
determine if the firm’s facilities and operations are in
accordance with current good manufacturing practices regulations.
Guatemala’s raspberry exports fell after a cyclospora
outbreak during 1997 was linked to raspberries from Guatemala.
During calendar year (CY) 1996, one year before the cyclospora
incident, the United States imported $914,000 in raspberries from
Guatemala. To date (January - August 2000), U.S. total raspberry
imports from Guatemala are valued at only $33,000.
Fresh Blueberry Exports Reach Record Value of $20 Million in 2000
U.S. fresh blueberry exports are valued at a record $20.1
million for the first 8 months of 2000. The value of U.S. fresh
blueberry exports ranged between $8 and $9 million between
calendar year (CY) 1995 and CY 1998. U.S. fresh blueberry exports
almost doubled from $8 million in 1997 to $15 million in 1998.
Strong demand in Japan and Canada fueled this increase in
exports. In 2000, exports to Canada, the Netherlands, and Iceland
have shown the greatest increase. If current trends hold, Iceland
may become the fourth largest market for U.S. fresh blueberry
exports (compared to 14th in 1999). As a result of
this growth in exports, the North American Blueberry Council
(NABC) added Iceland as a new target market. According to NABC,
promotional efforts in Iceland will include consumer and trade
publicity efforts and the possible development of an Icelandic
language website.
Japanese Cranberry Market Expands Rapidly
In the 1999 season (August 1999 - July 2000), Japanese imports
of cranberries from the United States jumped seven fold to
approximately 80,000 barrels (3,628 metric tons), valued at
approximately $5 million (FOB) from the previous season. Japanese
industry estimates that imports from the United States will
increase to 120,000 - 150,000 barrels in the 2000 season. The
strong health benefits associated with cranberries has ignited
the sales of cranberry juice, yogurt, pastry and candy products.
Cranberries are imported dried, frozen and as concentrated juice
and are exclusively sold to Japan’s food processors and
retailers.
Quebec is an Untapped Market for U.S. Wine
In 1999, wine sales in Quebec reached $8.3 million cases, the highest in Canada, yet the Quebec market represents the lowest market share for U.S. wines in Canada. Table wines sold in Quebec are primarily sourced from France (34 percent), Canada (32 percent) and Italy (14 percent). Only 2 percent of Quebec’s wine sales are from the United States. With per capita wine consumption in Quebec at 14 liters, the highest in Canada, there is great market potential for U.S. wines. FAS/Ottawa is sponsoring the first ever marketing event in the Quebec market and the first SIAL show in North America on March 4-6, 2001. The U.S. wine industry is encouraged to participate in this show to take advantage of a promising market opportunity.
Citrus Growers in Greece Shift from Oranges to Tangerines
Orange production in Greece is forecast to be close to 900,000 MT for 2000/01, which is higher than average, but still lower than last year's record crop. Tangerine production will increase again to 90,000 MT and lemon production is presently forecast at about 140,000 MT. Orange juice concentrate forecasts for 2000/01 stand at about 15,000 MT. Greek citrus growers were negatively affected by the 1996 EU citrus sector reform because increased competition from other countries and reduced withdrawal levels have forced them to send increasing tonnages of fruit to the processing industry at reduced prices. As a result of low profit margins, farmers are putting less effort into maintaining orange groves and refocusing on expanding tangerine production, which is more profitable.
Canada’s Strawberry Imports from the U.S. Projected to
Exceed $75 Million
Early indicators point to a 20 percent year-to-year decline in
total Canadian fresh strawberry production during 2000,
reflecting poor weather conditions throughout the spring and
early summer that reduced the production potential in the main
strawberry producing regions of Quebec and Ontario. Total
Canadian strawberry production in 2000 fell to about 21,000
metric tons from 26,349 metric tons in 1999, but increased
imports of fresh strawberries from the United States helped
offset the decline in Canadian production. Imports of fresh
strawberries from the United States in the current marketing year
on pace to reach a record level of about 52,000 metric tons,
valued at more than $75 million.
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