Delays have also hit shipments of autos, smartphones and numerous other products as longshoremen and shippers try to hammer out a new contract involving work at 29 West Coast ports.

The slowdown comes at a critical time of year, as other shipments of holiday goods arrive from Asia and await distribution across the country.

Washington grows the most apples in the nation and this year produced a huge crop of about 155 million, 40-pound boxes — 35 percent more than usual.

"With the record apple crop we are having this year, the need to move Washington apples outside of the United States is even greater," said Rebecca Lyons, international marketing director for the Washington Apple Commission.

The biggest importers of Washington apples are Mexico and Canada, which don't require ocean shipping. But exports are sent by ship to some 60 other countries, including many where the fruit is a traditional part of the Christmas season, Lyons said.

"In some markets, like Central America, 50 percent of our shipments occur before Christmas," Lyons said. "Once you miss that Christmas window, it's very difficult to catch up again."

Apples would have to leave port by the end of November to reach Central American countries, clear customs and get to stores in time for the holiday, she said.

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