2003 Industry News Releases
(USApple) Applauds Completion of CAFTA Negotiations (December 17, 2003)
The Bush Administration has completed negotiations on a free trade agreement with four Central American countries to terminate tariffs on U.S. apple imports entering these countries. For the complete press release, click here.
Testifying before the House Agriculture General Farm (October 2, 2003)
Commodities and Risk Management Subcommittee, James Bittner — an apple grower and owner of Singer Farms in Appleton, N.Y. — described growers' urgent need for a complete, all-peril crop insurance policy. For the complete press release, click here.
The U.S. Apple Association (USApple) urged Congress in testimony before the Senate Finance (September 23, 2003)
Committee to join with the Administration in an aggressive strategy to reduce the trade barriers for U.S. apple exports to Mexico. USApple Immediate Past Chairman John Rice of Rice Fruit Company, Gardners, Penn., testified on the challenges encountered by U.S. apple growers and shippers with the arbitrary imposition of 46.58 percent import tariffs implemented by Mexico in August 2002 on U.S. Red and Golden Delicious apples. For the complete press release, click here.
U.S. Apple Industry Optimistic About 2003 Crop (August 28, 2003)
Industry leaders from across the country gathered late last week in Chicago at the U.S. Apple Association's (USApple) 2003 Apple Crop Outlook and Marketing Conference, and projected the 2003 U.S. apple crop to total 216.2 million bushels, an 11 percent reduction from the five-year average. After a small crop last year, industry leaders are in agreement that this year's crop appears to be a perfect match for supply and demand, and expect it to deliver both high quality apples to consumers and high returns for growers.
Apples May Promote Weight Loss (April 10, 2003)
The apple of the famed old health adage may also help reduce the feminine pear shape more rapidly, according to new Brazilian research.
Apple Growers Included in Broad Disaster Assistance Package (February 14, 2003)
U.S. Apple Association (USApple) applauded Congress on passage of agricultural disaster legislation that targets equitable relief to growers who suffered crop losses in 2001 and 2002. All U.S. growers, including apple producers, who experienced a minimum of 35% crop loss for the 2001 or 2002 season due to weather-related damage will be eligible.
Apple Growers Receive $94 Million in Assistance (February 3, 2003)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has begun releasing funds totaling $94 million for apple market loss assistance payments for losses sustained during the 2000 apple crop. The $94 million was awarded to the U.S. apple industry as a part of the farm bill passed in May 2002. The funds are specifically designed to offset a portion of the devastating losses suffered during the 2000 apple crop due to low market prices caused by economic losses and foreign competition.
