“In 2017 over 55 percent of all fresh fruit available to U.S. consumers was imported. And while just under a third of the total supply of fresh vegetables in the U.S. came from overseas, that proportion had doubled since 2002, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic research Service.” The article goes on to [...]
During a routine inspection in New Zealand, spotted winged drosophila (SWD) was detected in one out of 600 Navel orange samples. Citrus is not a known host for the SWD. Because of this detection, New Zealand’s Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) has instructed USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to stop writing phystosanitary [...]
On Tuesday, USDA formally adopted rules allowing the importation of citrus from Columbia. This does not result in additional tonnage for the domestic market at this time, however. Columbia has had access to the U.S. market but lost it because of phytosanitary issues. They then were granted access for a probationary period (CCM description) to [...]
USDA is projecting U.S. citrus output to decline over the next decade much of which is attributable to HLB challenges in Florida and Texas. Recognizing that tonnage output is now being reduced, USDA anticipates existing production acreage will not be replanted to citrus. USDA forecasts a 1.3 Billion pound reduction in tonnage. Meanwhile, South Africa [...]
CCM staff and members of the Board met with Representatives Devin Nunes and TJ Cox this week to discuss a number of Federal policy concerns from water, to immigration, to trade, and more. Congress was on recess this week, providing an opportunity for CCM representatives to have two productive discussions with two members of Congress. [...]
Late last week, USDA announced another round of citrus purchases, the majority of which were cartons of fruit at a price ranging from $11.50 - $24.29 including transportation costs. This fruit was destined for California, the West Coast, and multiple stops heading East. Additionally, another 485,000 units of 3lb bags were purchased at prices ranging [...]
To those sectors in agriculture affected by trade retaliation tariffs, the Administration authorized the fruit purchase program (above) and a promotion program (ATP). Several commodity leaders believe that as the year progresses, dollars allocated for fruit purchasing may not all be spent. This belief has resulted in a joint communication signed by CCM, American Pistachio [...]
The California Citrus Quality Council (CCQC) is contacting the industry with information on how to comply with the Korea and China export protocols. Increased rainfall has triggered the need for a second copper application for Korea (Septoria spot) and China (Phytophthora) in all counties with the exception of Kern, Imperial, and eastern and western Riverside / San [...]
CCQC’s Jim Cranney accompanied USDA/APHIS to Vietnam this week to assist in efforts to open that market for our industry. He is reporting that Vietnamese officials have agreed to approve orange imports with import protocol requirements to be posted in the next 90 days. He reports that getting our fruit into the market this year [...]
On Monday, USDA released their second solicitation for trade barrier mitigation. Primarily designed to offset lost business resulting from Chinese tariffs, USDA was authorized to spend $55 million on oranges from U.S. production areas. The initial bid prior to Christmas resulted in a small purchase with limited participation by industry. This solicitation seeks 1.16 million [...]