Agricultural firms make their mark.(Oneonta Trading Corp., Vanguar Trading Services)

Two companies capitalize on Washington state's fruit and vegetable industry

Here are profiles of the two runners-up for the World Trade Club Governor's Trader of the Year Awards.

Oneonta Trading Corp.

From its beginning in the Depression-era 1930s, Oneonta Trading Corp. was designed to meet demand worldwide for Washington fruits. Founder Paul Thomas packed apples and pears in whiskey barrels, insulated in sawdust, to ship to destinations around the globe.

Almost seven decades later, the family-owned and operated agricultural enterprise is one of the top agricultural exporters in the United States and the leading exporter in the Pacific …