More than 60% of Japanese apples are grown in Aomori Prefecture. Aomori Trading are located in Hirosaki-city, the main city of apple production. Aomori Trading have many varieties of apple including Fuji, Orin, Mutsu, Kinei, Sekaiichi, Shinano-sweet, Shinano-gold, Meigetsu, Toki and more.

"We do not grow any exclusive varieties," explains Hideo Obori from Aomori Trading. " But the right to use the Hello Kitty logo for Japanese apples is exclusive for us with the official licence contract with SANRIO."

"In the summer of 2023, the UN chairman said: 'The era of global boiling has arrived.' Aomori Prefecture was hit by extreme heat. As a result, apple production decreased by approximately 20% due to various problems such as apples on trees falling naturally before the optimum harvest time, sunburn damage, damage from harmful animals, and frequent outbreaks of pests and diseases. Last year's extremely hot weather has also affected this year's crop, resulting in slow bee activity, which is necessary for pollination, and a decrease in fruiting. We are also worried about the effects of the extreme heat, which is expected to continue this year." 

The main market for the export of Japanese Aomori apples is Asian, but Mr Obori said that their mission at Aomori Trading is to develop new markets. "We have exclusively exported to North America for years and to the UK for the first time last season. We keep developing the markets aggressively."

"Our different markets require different requirements. For example, the markets where Chinese apples are very common require large size and rare varieties. The Taiwan market prefers the Fuji variety."

Source - https://www.freshplaza.com