Cheap Chinese apples have replaced Washington apples in many wet market stalls. Although the average export price for Washington apples during the 2007-2008 season was 13 percent higher than in 2006-2007, the volume shipped dropped by only 2 percent. A weaker dollar has certainly helped offset higher FOB prices, but transportation costs also rose to increase landed costs so that all in all, Washington apples were one of the more costly imported fruits in many export markets. Several factors have helped Washington maintain a premium position and high-value image in Asian markets. Certainly, the most important is the high quality […]