Ambassador McKalip discussed trade, jobs, and market conditions while visiting apple orchard.
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| Left to right: Jim Bair, USApple; Doug McKalip, USTR; Corey McCleaf, Cherry Hill Orchards & Farm Market, Ryan Hess, Hess Brother’s Fruit Company; Andy Figart, Hess Brother’s Fruit Company. Image: Collected |
Lancaster, Pennsylvania:
The Chief Agricultural Negotiator of the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) Doug McKalip visited an apple orchard on Thursday in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
The Trade Ambassador McKalip toured Cherry Hill Orchards & Farm Market along with USApple President and CEO Jim Bair, and others in the apple industry. They discussed trade, jobs, and market data in the USA apple production and distribution around the world.
Historically, the U.S. has exported one third of its apple crop, however exports are at their lowest level in ten years.
This industry is responsible for 150,000 employments and more than $8 billion in wages, and when accounting for downstream effects, is responsible for more than $23 billion in economic income.
“The viability of small family-owned apple gardens and the apple industry’s ability to run good jobs is linked to healthy export markets,” said Corey McCleaf, co-owner of Cherry Hill Orchards & Farm Market in Lancaster. “I was impressed and appreciative that Ambassador McKalip took the time to look around the orchard and learn about how important these markets are to the U.S. apple sector.”
“McKalip’s leadership is greatly appreciated that reduced tariffs on U.S. apples and essentially re-opened what used to be the second biggest market for our apples – India,” said Ryan Hess, CEO of Hess Brother’s Fruit business and a member of USApple’s Board of Directors who attended the visit. “It’s clear that ensuring the success of America’s farmers and apple producers has been a topline priority for trade representative of the country.”
US Trade Representative negotiates directly with existing and potential foreign partners to create trade deals, to resolve disputes, and to participate in global trade policy bodies. USTR is part of the Executive Office of the President.