02/17/06 Organic tree fruit views around US, Pt.1

02/17/06 Organic tree fruit views around US, Pt.1

When it comes to the organic sector of the North American tree fruit industry, it is no surprise that one of largest regions for organic is the Pacific Northwest, including British Columbia. Kent Mullinex of Wenatchee Valley College says our region was the first to try organic. While that first wave eventually died out, Mullinex says a second wave continues to provide momentum, especially in Washington State. MULLINEX: In fact, just between '99 and 2000, this state added 5,200 acres of certified apples. And all that growth has led to the development of Northwest organic fruit, especially apples, as a niche market all its own. MULLINEX: For Washington apples, organic apples, as a marketing category, is the only one in recent years that has shown any semblance of growth. And in fact, the Research Commission has reported publicly that organic apples, as a category, has demonstrated in recent years a five hundred per cent growth rate, when everything else was flat. Other Northwest states and provinces have strong organic tree fruit sectors, carving niches for themselves in various products. MULLINEX: 163 acres of certified plum and prune, which is I think is the biggest certified planting of plum and prune in North America. And another 65 mixed in transition. More organic tree fruit views around America will be shared in future programs.
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