New protocol aids Wash., Ore. cherry exporters

Washington and Oregon cherry growers will be able to export sweet cherries to Japan more quickly under a new inspection protocol approved by that country Thursday.

Japan requires that sweet cherries from the United States be fumigated to control the codling moth, a quarantine pest. But the country agreed to allow the new inspection protocol, which requires traps to be placed in the orchards, as a substitute for fumigation in Washington and Oregon.

Washington is the nation's leading producer of sweet cherries, with this year's crop expected to reach nearly 200,000 tons. California and Oregon round out the top three sweet cherry-producing states.

"This groundbreaking agreement benefits both Washington cherry growers and Japanese consumers," Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire said. "Japan has been an important market for Washington cherries, and thanks to this new protocol, that trading relationship will continue to be profitable in the years to come."

Growers in Washington and Oregon placed the traps in orchards in early to mid-May, said Jim Archer, manager of Northwest Fruit Exporters. California growers could participate in future years, but none took part this year because the protocol was developed too late for their harvest season.

"It's a big deal, not so much because of the volume, but because of the fruit quality," Archer said. "Fumigation takes a toll on the fruit quality, and it does not have as good a shelf life."

Because of the longer shelf life, growers likely will be able to export more cherries by ship rather than more expensive air freight services or as freight on passenger planes. Passenger planes also have started deploying more stringent cargo screening regulations this year, which have sparked complaints about delays.

Last year proved to be disappointing for Washington cherry growers after a spring frost reduced the size of the crop. In 2007, Washington growers produced $327 million in cherries, with about one-third of the crop going to export markets.

Canada is by far the largest market for Northwest cherries, taking more than 1 million 20-pound cases in 2008, followed by Taiwan, Hong Kong and the United Kingdom.

The next top export markets are Japan, South Korea and Australia. They are the only three countries that have required fumigation for codling moth.

"Sometimes other countries that are strict on quarantine issues will follow Japan's lead," Archer said. "We're hopeful this will lead to open exports for those other markets as well."