By Mike Benbow
Herald Writer
It’s only one ship, but Port of Everett officials are glad to see it.
The Blue Crystal is berthed in Everett this week taking on a load of Eastern Washington pears and other fruit bound for Europe.
Years ago, the port constructed a refrigerated building in hopes of developing a bigger fruit export business, but that business has dwindled as other countries have entered the competition.
"That’ll be the only fruit exported in a ship from Western Washington this year," said Ed Paskovskis, deputy director of the port.
He said Everett used to host five or six ships a year, and Seattle would have five times that many.
International competition has driven down prices and made it difficult for Washington orchardists, Paskovskis said.
"China has come on strong in apples," he said. "They now own the juice concentrate market."
Chile and New Zealand also export a great deal of fruit, he added.
The Blue Crystal has provided work for several crews of longshoremen, who loaded some 2,600 pallets laden with boxes of fruit into the hold and onto the deck of the ship this week.
The loading is expected to be completed today, and the ship will head today or Saturday for Rotterdam, Netherlands, said the port’s Bob Porter.
You can call Herald Writer Mike Benbow at 425-339-3459
or send e-mail to benbow@heraldnet.com.
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