Washington apples making comeback

This year’s good news is Washington apple production is the second best ever. The better news is shipments to Asian markets are returning to normal.

Let me explain.

In 2014, our state had its best apple crop in history, but prospects to deliver cases of apples across the ocean were dampened by a labor dispute at West Coast seaports. That dispute led to a prolonged slowdown (and eventual shutdown) in loading ships carrying thousands of agriculture and manufactured products.

According to a report issued jointly by the National Association of Manufacturers and the National Retail Federation, the...