Apple Exports On Pace With Goals

Apple imports from the United States totaled 8,900 tons in the first quarter, about 58 percent of a U.S. goal for the first half of the year, the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry said Tuesday.

After years of wrangling over the import of U.S. apples, Japan last year conditionally lifted a decadesold ban. The Japanese government had contended that U.S. apples contained pests not found in Japan. The issue was a major source of trade friction.

The U.S. apples now permitted as imports can only be harvested from areas free of disease and certain insects, and placed in low temperature sterilization for 55 days before shipment. So far, the selected areas have been limited to Washington and Oregon.

U.S. apple producers hope to export 15,000 tons of the fruit to Japan this season. Japan’s harvesting season for apples starts in August.