Washington apple samples from the 2000 harvest in Japanese retail stores in 2001, the last time U.S. apples were exported in Japan.(File photo courtesy Washington Apple Commission) For the first time in 15 years, apple growers are pursuing exports to Japan. The U.S. is the top food exporter to Japan, but apples haven’t been a big player. Northwest growers haven’t exported to Japan since the 2000-01 season, largely due to that country’s 17 percent tariff and the high cost of the export program. Apples must be treated with a 55-day cold treatment and methyl bromide fumigation and inspected by Japanese […]