national watch
Trade Deal Extra Sweet
for State’s Cherry Growers
Tom Layson
Cherry growers express delight about new tariff-busting trade pacts with
South Korea, Columbia and Panama. Even so, success isn’t guaranteed as
concerns about overproduction and the currency markets linger.
Spend enough time watching cherry growers fight the elements just to get a viable crop, and it becomes clear
that the annual harvest represents a not-so-insignificant miracle.
But the battle against the weather, pests and all the other gremlins that come along with operating an
orchard don’t end with the harvest. Trade barriers erected in major overseas markets have been a thorn in the
side of growers for decades.
In 2006 and 2007, the Bush administration signed Free Trade Agreements with
at a glance
South Korea, Columbia and Panama. But resistance from business interests concerned about industry-specific impacts and labor unions worried about the loss
of jobs from foreign competition, prevented a congressional vote. Finally though,
The Northwest cherry season runs from
in October 2011, the United States entered into major new trade agreements with
June until the end of August.
South Korea, Columbia and Panama. The agreement with South Korea is the biggest
since NATFA in 1994.
Orchard work continues even during the
“As foreign tariff barriers go down, we’ll get even more competitive,” said Dan
cold winter months with extensive pruning.
Newhouse, director of the Washington State Department of Agriculture.
Washington’s total cherry crop was about 18
“The overseas markets are crtitical, even for those growers who only market
million boxes in 2011 at 18-20 pounds apiece.
their product domestically,” he said. “Anything we sell to the world lifts the prices
farmers get for product that stays here at home.”
The nation of Turkey is the world’s
For cherry growers, the deal with South Korea will be the most important.
top cherry producer.
primary cherry varieties grown
in washington, oregon & montana:
• Bing
• Chelan
• Rainier
• Skeena
• Sweetheart
• Tieton
Source: Washington State Fruit Commission
by region, washington’s primary
sweet cherry growing regions:
• Yakima Valley
• North Central (Wenatchee)
• Columbia Basin
Source: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Integrated
Pest Management Report 2003
26 association of washington business