The California Citrus Quality Council (CCQC) recently contacted the industry to ensure exporters and growers are aware of and comply with the required documentation and treatments for major export markets. This includes the necessary GAP documents for exporting fruit to China, as well as recommendations for controlling Septoria spot caused by Septoria citri for shipments to Korea and required documentation
Required Documentation for China Protocol and Phytophthora GAPs
The following documents outline the requirements for compliance with the protocol, including documentation of compliance for exports to China. Because Chinese regulators are requiring additional mitigation measures for Tulare County, there are two sets of documents. The Tulare County documents should be used for Tulare County packing houses and fruit grown in Tulare County. The “outside Tulare County” documents are for packing houses and groves located outside of Tulare County. Please note that all fruit grown in Tulare County is subject to the Tulare County protocol. That means packinghouses outside of Tulare County must adhere to the Tulare County protocol if they pack fruit from Tulare County. If there are symptoms from incubation, packers can bring the samples to the NAVEK lab for identification.
Linked documents include:
- Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for Growers – Each grower planning to ship fruit to China must sign the SOP document (SOP of growers IN Tulare County OR SOP for growers OUTSIDE Tulare County), along with the packinghouse person responsible for grove compliance. Signed SOPs must be on file at packinghousesfor review if asked by USDA/APHIS representatives.
- Affirmation Letter for Packinghouses –each packinghouse must sign an affirmation letter (packing house IN Tulare County, OR Packing house OUTSIDE Tulare County) indicating that all packinghouses that ship fruit to China agree to comply with all of the measures in the China protocol. By signing the document, packinghouses affirm that they understand the protocol and will comply.
- China Phytophthora Monitoring Record – Each lot destined for export to China must be monitored for Phytophthora symptoms. The use of this document is not mandatory; however, records must be kept of the monitoring process. This document is a template that can be changed to suit each individual grower or packinghouse. The format is not important, but the records must be maintained to comply.
- Incubation Sampling Guide – This document provides a chart that shows packinghouses how many fruit to incubate by the size of the grove. It is also included in SOP (above).
- Phytophthora Management Document (GAPs) – This document provides detailed information on how to control Phytophthora (Good Agricultural Practices) and monitor for Phytophthora symptoms and includes monitoring and sampling guidelines.
- MRL table for fungicides used for controlling brown ro
Remember that a mandatory treatment with a registered copper fungicide must be applied in accordance with the product’s labeled instructions between October 15 and November 30 for citrus exports to China from California. This copper application can also be applied in mixtures with approved alternative fungicides. Additional applications of copper or alternative fungicides will be based on environmental conditions. These disease forecasts will be based on epidemiological models of brown rot developed at the University of California, Riverside
Korea First Copper Application, Septoria Management, Fuller Rose Beetle Affirmation Letter
The first field application of zinc-copper-lime or a registered alternative is required for all oranges intended for export to Korea. The treatment should be applied between October 15 and November 30 for all California oranges, including Navels and Valencias, shipped to Korea. Registered alternatives such as Quadris Top® (azoxystrobin and difenoconazole), Abound® (azoxystrobin), and other fungicides such as Luna Sensation (fluopyram and trifloxystrobin), Priaxor (fluxapyraxad and pyraclostrobin), Cevya (mefentrifluconazole), or Elysis (mefentrifluconazole and fluxapyraxad) are also highly effective and should be applied in November. Registered alternatives can be used in mixtures with zinc-copper-lime treatments for the initial application or in rotation if additional fungicide applications are required later in the season.
Note that if the lot is to be considered for export to China, the China Protocol requires that the first fungicide application be a copper fungicide. Alternatives can be used for the second or third application if needed, and this program will comply with both Korea and China export protocols.
These fungicide applications serve as protective treatments for managing Septoria spot. Zinc-copper-lime or registered alternatives should be applied before winter rains. These treatments are significantly less effective when applied after precipitation and subsequent infection, and only the other options offer sporulation control.
Timing of the second and third fungicide treatments will be based on the accumulation of temperatures below -1 degree C and subsequent accumulation of precipitation. Industry advisories will be made based on forecasted weather conditions and the risk assessment model developed by the University of California. Thus, additional applications may be necessary during the winter and early spring, depending on environmental conditions.
CCQC has provided additional Septoria management options to minimize the number of copper applications and maintain the eligibility of positive lots, especially during the January to March period, when further rainfall and the need for a second or third protective fungicide treatment are anticipated. Please see the attached document, “Revised Septoria Procedures,” which explains the options.
Linked for your information are voluntary Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) that have been developed by the citrus industry and the University of California to provide guidance on the Septoria program, including sampling procedures for the Navel and Valencia Exports to Korea (NAVEK) program. An MRL table for fungicides updated on Oct. 5, 2025, used on citrus in selected markets, is presented in the GAPs. For the most current MRLs, consult the Global MRL database at https://bcglobal.bryantchristie.com.
Additionally, an affirmation letter is required for Fuller Rose Beetle (FRB) compliance. APHIS requires all packinghouses shipping to Korea to affirm that they are implementing the three requirements for FRB control. The signed letter should be kept on file at the packinghouse.
The NAVEK lab will begin accepting orange samples beginning Wednesday, October 30, 2025. Samples may be dropped off at the lab between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm Monday through Thursday. When submitting samples to the NAVEK lab, please use the electronic NAVEK Sample form, which can be downloaded from CCQC’s website or accessed navekform.ucr.edu. Samples should be picked up on the same day or one day before submission to the lab. Results can be expected 7 days after the sample is submitted.
If you have questions about any of the information provided above, please contact Jim Cranney at (530) 885-1894 or jcranney@ccqc.org
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