(TJ Mullinax/Good Fruit Grower photo illustration)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that China’s agriculture regulatory agency has allowed access for all U.S. apple varieties, according to a news release today from Northwest Fruit Exporters.
Phytosanitary certificates for export will be available after USDA has updated their phytosanitary export database (PExD). This is expected to occur within the next few days.
This is another step in an ongoing the regulatory process. The USDA announced last October that China would re-open its market to red and golden delicious apples from Washington State.
Northwest Fruit Exporters said it will keep growers informed as more information is available.
According to documents released by NFE, China’s General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine issued the following statement:
Based on the China experts’ pest risk analysis and site visits on the U.S. apples, China and the U.S. have signed on the “Plant Quarantine Work Plan of U.S. Fresh Apples for Export to China” after consultation and negotiation between the quarantine institutions of both sides. According to the Work Plan, China officially publishes now the “Plant Quarantine Requirement for Import of the U. S. Apples”, and permits import of the U. S. qualified apples.
What about Avocados, we need entry for California avos also!! China is a growing market and consumer of avos from Mexico right now and soon Peru. We need California to establish a foothold in China as well but need acceptance by the Chinese authorities first… Hope it happens soon.