Michigan’s apple industry will soon have a new export market in Mexico based upon a recent signed cooperative agreement between state and Mexican industry and government officials, today announced Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) Director Dan Wyant and Mark Arney, Executive Director of the Michigan Apple Committee.

Wyant said the agreement establishes an inspection protocol and system that will allow Michigan apple growers, packers and shippers important access to the Mexican market. About 100,000 to 200,000 bushels of fresh apples could be exported later this year and the first quarter of 2003, with the potential of that number going much higher in subsequent years.

"Developing and expanding export markets is critical to the improved profitability and future viability of Michigan agriculture, including the apple industry," Wyant said. "With the strong support and efforts of the Michigan Apple Committee we were able to establish and launch this agreement, which opens an important market door for Michigan apples and ensures that they meet international high quality and safety standards."

Michigan regulatory, export and apple industry representatives discuss inspection agreement with Mexican officials.		Executive Director Mark Arney signs agreement with Mexican officials on behalf of the Michigan apple industry.

Under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) fresh apples grown in the United States have gained increasing access to Mexico. Trade protocol requires Mexican inspectors to check U.S. packing houses and fruit in order to ship to that country, and currently only the states of Washington, Oregon and Idaho have been able to establish such inspections.

Arney explained that the high cost of an inspection system and predicted export volumes had previously precluded Michigan from negotiating and instituting an inspection system.

However, that changed due to the Michigan Apple Committee’s work to receive a Specialty Crop Block Grant from the state, Arney said. A portion of this one-time funding will pay for the inspection system for the next three growing years.

"I commend MDA for their excellent support in helping to put this deal together. The grant from the state made this a reality. The Mexican market is the world’s largest for U.S. apples and represents a tremendous opportunity for our growers," said Arney. He went on to express his special gratitude to MDA staff members Paul Burke and Ken Rauscher who traveled with him to Mexico City and were part of the negotiation process. Also accompanying Arney was industry representative Barry Winkel of Greg Orchards, Benton Harbor.

Michigan apples are the state’s largest tree fruit crop, and Michigan is the third largest U.S. producer of apples, with 850 million pounds or 18.8 million bushels, of apples produced in 2000 with an estimated value of nearly $76 million.

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