Washington apples to be 25% costlier this season

KOLKATA: Indian consumers may have to pay 25% more this year for Washington apples as the American state will export fewer of these red crunchy and juicy fruit this year due to a production drop. Price of apples has gone up in the US by 15% due to short supply.

Todd Fryhover, president of the Washington Apple Commission, told ET: "In the current season that began in August 2015, production has come down to 116 million boxes (each 20 kg) from 140 million boxes in the 2014 harvesting year." Harvesting of Washington apples begins in August and continues to July next year. Last year, the state sent 5.5 million boxes to India, the third largest market after Mexico and Canada. "This year, we will be exporting half of last year’s volume. We want to grow the Indian market aggressively," he said. Washington handles 95% of US’ apple exports.

While prices have risen by 15% in the US, the increase will be higher in India as there is an import duty of 50% on imported apples.