Feb 5, 2008

Washington Apple Vote for Additional Penny Falls Short

The Washington Apple Commission failed to get the “contingency penny” it asked growers to authorize.

In December, just under 60 percent of Washington’s apple growers voted to authorize the penny, but 67 percent were needed.

“We got a plurality, but two-thirds is hard to do,” said David Carlson, commission president.

The commission sought permission from apple growers to levy up to 1 cent more per box, in increments or the full cent – as needed and at the board’s discretion. The current assessment level is 3.5 cents per 42-pound box on apples packed for fresh market.

“We wanted the option,” Carlson said. “We’re all a little disappointed but it’s not the end of the world. We have a good board and it will make the decisions about where to spend in the event of a pinch.”

The commission spends the money it collects from Washington’s 3,200 growers – more than $3 million a year – in foreign market development, Carlson said. Costs have risen in recent years with the higher cost of travel and the weakening value of the dollar, especially in Europe and Canada.

But a relatively short apple crop worldwide, strong domestic demand for apples and good apple prices may have convinced growers that more money for promotion wasn’t necessary. Carlson believes export market development is critical and that apple growers should make maximum use of federal dollars available under the Market Access Program. The government matches $3 for every $1 growers spend on export promotions.

“We have no plans to make another attempt to convince growers to approve more funding,” Carlson said.