The first 21 tons of Yantai apples undergo inspection and quarantine before being shipped to the US, Nov 9. [Photo/shm.com.cn]

Yantai apples, a famous brand of the coastal city of Yantai, Shandong province will debut in the United States market soon, as the first lot of 21 tons of Yantai apples have been shipped from Yantai to the US, on Nov 9.

It was the first time for Yantai apples to enter the US market. After 28 days of shipment, the apples will hit the supermarkets in the US.

The US is the largest fruit consumption market in North America, with annual fruit import of over 200,000 tons. As a country with strictest inspection and quarantine measures, it had forbidden apple import from China for 17 years.

However, "Yantai apples' export to US will surely promote the apple industry in Shandong," expressed Sun Xiantong, vice director of Yantai inspection and quarantine bureau.

In 2014, Shandong's apple export amounted to 116,000 tons, with an export value of $179.09 million, down 22.8 percent and 10.2 percent respectively. About 80 percent of apples were exported to Southeast Asian countries.

Experts believe that as the export price to the US is twice the price to Southeast Asian countries, expanding the US market will stimulate Shandong's sluggish apple market and increase locals' income.

Yantai's fruit companies have pledged to develop more apple varieties to cater to western customers.

Yantai is the hometown of apples, with its annual apple export accounting for one fourth of the country's total export.

Edited by Shahnawaz Akhtar