Jared England, GM of Manson Growers Co-op indicates 6,422% increase in apples shipped to India YTD

information released

Representative Kim Schrier is championing Washington’s agricultural industry, and residents are taking notice. Last week, the Seattle Times published a new editorial outlining how Washington’s apple growers have thrived since Schrier’s successful charge to lift India’s tariffs on U.S. apple exports to India earlier this year.

“Through the end of October, 201,348 boxes of apples were shipped to India this year. Compare that to the 3,087 boxes in the same period last year; that is a 6,422% increase,” writes Jared England, general manager of Manson Growers Co-Op.

DCCC Spokesperson Dan Gottlieb:
“Down to her core, Kim Schrier is a champion for Washington’s working families. That’s why she’s prioritizing legislation to boost local farmers and help Washington’s agricultural industry compete on the global stage.”

The Seattle Times: Opinion: This year, WA’s apple growers have reasons to be thankful
Jared England | November 22, 2023

  • As the apple harvest in Washington comes to a close, growers have much to be thankful for.

  • In this year of abundance, Washington growers can also be grateful for the reopening of a large foreign market for our apples. Early in the year, U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, and U.S. Reps. Kim Schrier and Dan Newhouse helped bring about an agreement with India to remove the retaliatory tariffs on apples in place since 2018.

  • Already, more Washington apples are returning to India. In fact, through the end of October, 201,348 boxes of apples were shipped to India this year. Compare that to the 3,087 boxes in the same period last year; that is a 6,422% increase.

  • And while this is good news, it will take years of concerted effort to regain market share for Washington. India did not stop eating apples over the five years the tariffs were in place. They simply got their apples from our competitors in other countries. To gain back this market, Washington growers have much work to do.

  • On the plus side, our state produces the best apples on the globe. In fact, the quality of our agricultural bounty is one reason Washington had a positive trade balance with China for many years, something no other state could claim.

  • Washington apples have a higher price point because growers, regulators and the workforce always try to do things right. Take the measures we take to keep our workers safe: The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries reports that our state is safer for agricultural workers than our closest agricultural neighbors, California, Oregon and Idaho.

  • Growers have also made great strides in sustainability by preserving water, limiting overspray of fertilizers and other agricultural products, and changing to multiuse packing materials. Other countries may offer lower prices, but lack these same high standards of safety, worker pay and sustainability.

  • I ask our representatives in Congress and the Washington Legislature to go farther and open more markets. The world population is fast-growing and in need of food. Exporting nutritious food is good for growers, the state, the country, and people around the world.