India Eyed As Next Export Market For Washington Apple Commission

By Growing Produce Staff|March 17, 2015

Late last year the USDA earmarked $173 million to help bolster U.S. agriculture exports through the Market Access Program.

The Washington Apple Commission received more than $5 million of that allocation and has increased its export promotional budget to $7.4 million. The Washington Apple Commission will devote $1 million to increasing apple exports to India.

“Demand has been strong in India,” Keith Sunderlal, WAC’s India representative tells The Hindu Business Line. “We would have thought there would be softening of prices, since the U.S. has not been able to ship as many cartons as they would have liked given the West Coast port slowdown that hampered exports.”

Sunderal says the WAC will use the money to create awareness in main metropolitan areas in India. This will include wholesale promotions to increase shipments of Red Delicious.

“Our marketing budget in India continues to grow given the strong demand and the potential for further growth in the country. We have good import partners here,” Sunderlal said.