Fruit and Vegetables: Apples■VarietyFuji■Introduction
JA Iwate-chuo is located in Kitakami Basin almost right in thecenter of Iwate Prefecture, sandwiched between the Ou
Mountains and Kitakami Mountains. Blessed with an inland
climate, people practice diversified farming centered on ricecultivation. Apples in particular are fully ripened andproduced under a locally standardized control system toensure safety through "Special Cultivation" certification.

■Characteristics
Original Iwate varieties are mainly exported to avoid
competition overseas between growing regions in Japan.
Fuyukoi Haruka in particular has won extremely highappraisal. Furthermore, the apples have attracted attention
in health-conscious markets overseas for the reduced use ofpesticides and chemical nitrogen fertilizer through SpecialCultivation.

■Recommended way of eating them

Eat them raw. The characteristic textures and tastes of thedifferent varieties have been indicated (on leaflets handedout during negotiations).

■Best eaten

The best times to eat them and their period of availability
for shipment have been set for all varieties.

■Export season

October to February■Exported toSoutheast Asia, North America, etc.

■Packaging■Movie of production and shipment processes
Care taken to:
Inspect for insects designatedunder the quarantine systems ofcountries the products areexported to.

Scan the QR code to enjoy
watching a movie of a trip toan orchard in the growing
region of Morioka City in
Iwate Prefecture.

Fruit and Vegetables: Apples■Name of producer

Secretariat of Promotion Council for
the International Distribution of Iwate's
Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries Products■Address
Distribution Division, Department of Agriculture, Forestry andFisheries
Iwate Prefectural Government, 10-1 Uchimaru, Morioka City,
Iwate Prefecture 020-8570■Contact information
Phone:+81-19-629-5736+81-19-673-7484 (Agricultural Sales Department, JAIwate-chuo)
E-MAIL: einou-kikaku@ja-iwatechuoh.jp (Agricultural SalesDepartment, JA Iwate-chuo)
URL:
https://ja-iwatechuoh.or.jp■Export system and facilities
Through the FY 2017 Project to Bolster Growing Regions, afacility to maintain freshness (SmartFresh) was established
as a measure allowing products to withstand long hours ofshipment.

■Overseas PR activities
We have basically focused on negotiating on-site in overseas
markets and taken advantage of the expanded and prolonged
opening of sales booths in response to demand for products
other than apples. Examples include the start of sweet potato
cultivation dedicated to exports, and on-site production andsales of apple pies made from low quality apples.

■The characteristics and strengths of producers(the growing region)
The only apple growing region in Japan meeting the requirements forexport regulations in North America (Canada and the U.S.). Furthermore,
the region registers producers in sorting products for export and packacking
them in a way that allows differentiation, to handle the regulations andquarantine inspections of various countries. The region has been expanding
exports as a pioneer in breaking into markets in new countries.

■Information on production and export quantities
Area planted with variety

Beni Roman: 3.4 ha Sansa: 11.3 ha Kio: 8.5 ha
Tsugaru: 25.6 ha Beni Iwate: 10.4 ha
Jonagold: 34.7 ha Shinano Sweet: 8.9 ha Orin: 10 ha
Shinano Gold: 22.9 ha Fuji: 220.4 ha Haruka: 14.9 haOthers: 53 ha Total: 423.9 ha

Production quantity

JA joint sorting facility: 3,576 tQuantity available for export
286 t (8 % of total)(annually)
Quantity available for export 10 kg - 11,000 kg(single units to 40 ft containers)(per export)
Minimum quantity availablefor export
Total export quantity perregion

Same as above.

Payments to be made strictly within Japan, with the exporter
paying for the cost of transportation.

(Results in FY2022)
Thailand: 9.6 t Vietnam: 1.0 t Taiwan: 19.7 t HongKong: 3.7 t Singapore: 0.5 t
Canada 0.3 t The U.S.: 15.4 t■Patents and certifications
PatentsNone

GI certification

None

Various other certifications

No international certification