|
News
|
|
|
|
Oregon Christmas trees begin their annual export journey
|
|
|
11/10/2010
|
|
Article Content ODA inspectors clear the way for the nation's top producer
With the holiday season just around the corner, Oregon Christmas trees are heading straight across the state border to markets as close as California and as far as the Pacific Rim. From now until the middle of December, it will be extremely busy for growers and for inspectors with the Oregon Department of Agriculture who issue the necessary certificate that clears the trees for entry.
"Growers and shippers are cutting trees right now and loading up the trucks," says Gary McAninch, supervisor of ODA's Nursery and Christmas Tree Program. "Oregon is still the nation's top producer of Christmas trees, and we send more than 80 percent of them out of state. Our role is to provide the inspection and certification services required by other states and foreign countries."
Inspectors check the trees to make sure they don't carry an unwanted insect pest or disease. Other countries are especially concerned and provide a list of pests and diseases they want to keep out. ODA issues a clean bill of health in the form of an important piece of paper known as a phytosanitary certificate. For Oregon Christmas tree growers, it's a passport to the international marketplace.
The inspection of Christmas trees actually begins well before the holidays approach. ODA inspectors examine fields in late summer and early fall, looking for potential problems that could put a snag into out-of-state shipments. Receiving countries want to make sure those trees arrive without problems that could become established in their own back yard. In some cases, trees are required to be mechanically shaken to dislodge larger insects as well as dead needles. Once again, the phytosanitary certificate assures that the trees are problem free.
ODA inspectors even look at Christmas trees that never leave the state. Growers will often request the expertise of inspectors to identify problems in the field even though there is no requirement for certification of trees that remain in Oregon. It's just another way of upholding the good reputation of high quality Oregon Christmas trees.
Early shipments have already taken place to Mexico, Guam, and a few Pacific Rim countries. While Oregon Christmas trees can be found in numerous international markets, the US neighbor to the south remains the biggest foreign customer. The latest survey results show about 16 percent of Oregon Christmas treees go to Mexico, despite continued regulatory challenges and issues.
"Officials in Mexico are in the process of changing their importation regulations as they pertain to pests and diseases," says McAninch. "The rules can change in the next couple of weeks right in the middle of the shipping season. We are monitoring the situation closely and will get the word out to growers as soon as we know."
In the past, ODA has sent an entomologist to Mexico to help officials complete pest risk assessments on Oregon trees. Mexican officials have also come to Oregon to see firsthand grower practices and processes to mitigate pest and disease issues. Both steps have led to a better understanding and relationship between buyer (Mexico) and seller (Oregon).
Last year, ODA issued phytosanitary certificates to a number of international markets led by Mexico, but including Canada, Japan, Hong Kong, Guam, Singapore, and a growing interest in Central America.
Since it would take every man, woman, and child in Oregon purchasing at least two trees each to cover the annual harvest, Oregon must sell Christmas trees to other countries and states. Overall, the top destination continues to be California, responsible for nearly half of all sales in 2009. Once again this year, growers are in the middle of a targeted marketing campaign in Southern California, which has been a successful effort in years past. As far as other domestic markets for Oregon Christmas trees, a combination of western states that includes Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Alaska, and Hawaii is responsible for about 10 percent of all sales. The Gulf States region buy about nine percent of all the Christmas trees Oregon sells. The Atlantic states record four percent and the State of Washington is responsible for three percent of sales. Oregon itself buys only about eight percent of all the Christmas trees it harvests each year.
Oregon growers harvest about 7.8 million Christmas trees annually, supporting an industry with a value of $110 million. For 2010, Oregon growers are expecting another relatively good year despite the economy.
"The situation is much the same as last year," says Bryan Ostlund, executive director of the Pacific Northwest Christmas Tree Growers Association. "Sales are expected to stay strong contrary to the challenging economy. The big box stores like The Home Depot are noticing that the sale of live trees are on the rise while the sale of artificial trees are dropping."
During tough economic times, people tend to stay more at home over the holidays and enjoy a traditional celebration that includes a Christmas tree. Ostlund expects that to be the case again this year.
Starting in 2008, growers began to broaden the mix of Christmas trees in the ground based on what buyers wanted. The industry is still dominated by two major species- Douglas fir and Noble fir. In the most recent survey of Oregon's Christmas tree industry, those two species accounted for 92 percent of all sales.
This year's crop looks to be good quality, according to ODA inspectors. The relatively cool summer and ample moisture appears to have contributed to that quality, and will help keep trees fresh longer for those faraway destinations.
There will be very little down time for ODA's 11 inspectors as they visit as many as five Christmas tree operations each day for the next few weeks.
"It's the nature of the holiday season," says McAninch.
For more information, contact Gary McAninch at (503) 986-4644 or Bryan Ostlund at (503) 364-2942.
Story of the Week pdf version
http://oregon.gov/ODA/docs/pdf/news/101110christmas_trees.pdf
Audio Story of the Week
http://oregon.gov/ODA/news/101110christmas_trees_audio.shtml
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|