Japan Production
Shortfall Creates Opportunity for U.S. lettuce
A sharply reduced domestic
supply situation in Japan for lettuce has led to a
drastic run up in wholesale prices, according to a recent
report from the U.S. Agricultural
Minister-Counselor’s office in Tokyo. This situation
is expected to create significant short term marketing
opportunities for U.S. lettuce shippers. However,
Japan’s onerous policy of fumigating imported
lettuce whenever live insects, including indigenous
species, are detected could hamper U.S. shippers from
taking full advantage of the opportunity. U.S. lettuce
shipments to Japan in 1998 totaled 5,722 MT, valued at
$7.4 million. The United States is the predominant
foreign supplier of lettuce to Japan, where imported
lettuce continues to account for a very small percentage
of domestic consumption. USDA and industry efforts to
overcome Japan’s restrictive quarantine policy for
lettuce are ongoing.
New Zealand Kiwifruit
Industry Rejects GMO Technology
Kiwifruit New Zealand (KNZ),
the organization representing that country’s
kiwifruit industry, has disavowed involvement in research
and development of genetically modified strains,
according to a recent report from the FAS Agricultural
Attache’s office in Wellington. KNZ has stated that
no New Zealand kiwifruit, either now in commercial
production or under research, has ever been subject to
genetic modification. Further, the organization claims it
will neither fund future research or market genetically
modified product.
Japan Announces Approval
of New Apple & Cherry Varieties
On July 30, 1999,
Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and
Fisheries announced the decision to immediately lift its
phytosanitary ban on five new varieties of apples; Fuji,
Gala, Granny Smith, Jonagold and Braeburn, and two new
varieties of cherries; Lapin and Sweetheart. Traders in
Japan expect shipments of the new cherry varieties to
commence in August of this year and, for apples, in early
2000.
Japanese Ban Lifted on
New Varieties of Tomatoes
On July 6, 1999,
Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and
Fisheries announced its decision to lift its
phytosanitary ban on all unapproved varieties of U.S.
tomatoes. Liberalization is expected to be completed by
early September 1999. Sales potential is particularly
good for Roma tomatoes, a substitute for canned tomatoes,
in the emerging Japanese cooking tomato market. Market
opportunities also exist for cherry tomatoes,
particularly during late fall through early spring, when
Japanese prices are relatively high. The domestic market
for cherry tomatoes in Japan is valued at approximately
$380 million.
Cochran Dried Fruit and
Nuts Team from China Obtains Immediate Results
A recent U.S. visit of 15
Chinese importers and distributors of dried fruit and
nuts under the Cochran Program resulted in orders being
placed on July 27 for two containers of pistachios. The
team had traveled to Washington, D.C. and California in
July to learn more about the U.S. dried fruit and nut
industries. In addition to the two containers ordered,
the group was hopeful that more orders would be placed,
should the deal prove to be mutually satisfactory. Team
members also expressed their enthusiasm and willingness
to establish relationships with U.S. pecan companies and
provided pecan packers with advice on how to enter the
China market. The companies participating from China were
all experienced worldwide traders and very optimistic
about the future potential for U.S. products in China. Of
particular interest to the traders was the issue of
direct shipments to mainland China, as opposed to
shipping via Hong Kong.
