Apple Juice From China?

 You Betcha'.......

"As American as Apple Pie" may be a commonly accepted statement, but probably isn't true anymore.  A majority of the apple juice for sale in the US originates in China, and yet the US is also a net exporter of apples.  Although in one sense this is just another example of extracting market efficiencies out of a global commodities supply system, it's also a heads-up to consumers to be vigilant in determining the ingredient sources for the products you purchase.

In general, this type of cross border sourcing of food product ingredients is a normal and benign.  Without international agricultural trade our diets would be unbearably bland, and our farmers poor. However, given the recent examples of the low health and safety standards for food elements from China, caution would be a prudent approach to products with ingredients from that country.

Here's an excerpt from the USDA's January report :

GLOBAL FRESH APPLE TRADE FORECAST TO SURGE

World apple production is forecast to grow 8 percent from last year due to favorable weather and improved management practices, while trade is forecast to rise 5 percent due to strong demand from the EU.

• U.S. exports are forecast to rise 4 percent due largely to robust demand in Canada, the top export market for the United States, and ample production.

WORLD MARKETS AND TRADE

• China, which accounts for over 50 percent of world apple production, is expected to produce 15 percent more apples. However, exports will likely slide 2 percent due to anticipated weaker demand in the EU and a few other traditional markets. China accounts for about 25 percent of global apple exports.

• Russia, the world’s largest apple importer, is forecast to import 4 percent more than last year. Despite a weakening currency and economic problems, demand for foreign apples has been strong for the first few months in 2008/09. U.S. apples, which mostly compete with EU apples in Russia, will be less competitive because of higher transportation costs.

• EU production is forecast to expand sharply from the previous year, as production in Poland and Hungary returns to more normal levels due to favorable weather. As a result of strong demand in Russia, Ukraine, and other traditional markets, as well as higher domestic exportable supplies, EU exports are expected to surge 24 percent.

APPLE JUICE OUTPUT AND EXPORTS EXPECTED TO FALL PRECIPITOUSLY

Global apple juice concentrate (AJC) exports are expected to tumble 25 percent as China plans to slash its production by 50 percent.

• U.S. AJC production is forecast down 25 percent, as a result of significantly lower supplies of apples available for juice. The United States is the world’s largest AJC importer, with imports forecast to creep upward 3 percent due to steady demand and reduced domestic supplies.

• China, which accounts for more than half of the world’s apple juice supplies and almost 80 percent of global exports, is expected to cut its output in half since reportedly it has an abundant 300,000 tons of stocks left over from last year. China plans to export 30 percent less than the previous year.

Mitch Lipka, posting on Wallet Pop,  adds this information:

If you're wondering how to find out where the juice you drink comes from it isn't easy. Nation of origin identification is required, but making it clear and conspicuous apparently wasn't part of the deal. Typically, you will either find it stamped in an obscure location on the bottle in small type or included on the ingredients label. To make it more confusing, some brands including Tree Top, use imports seasonally.

China is the world's largest apple producer and, as it is with products that nation exports, it sells the concentrate for a fraction of what it is sold for in the U.S. The thing is Chinese apples are said to be so bitter they can barely be eaten. So they are made marketable by turning them into a concentrate through an elaborate process. Fresh juice or juice not from concentrate most likely will be American in origin since Chinese concentrate is processed in China and shipped in industrial-sized drums.

If it matters to you, you can still find apple juice made from American apples. It usually will cost a bit more, though. Among the companies that only use U.S. apples is Martinelli's.

(hat tip to Ct.'s Jack Murray)