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 [...]
The Chinese leadership is once again expected to land in Washington, D.C. at the end of the month in more attempts to resolve the trip disputes. The Trump Administration has extended a deadline for imposing more tariffs on Chinese product until March 1st in hopes of reaching an agreement. November trade data was expected to [...]
Dr. Jim Adaskaveg continues to monitor environmental models regarding citrus susceptibility to Phytophthora and Septoria and because rainfall for specific areas of the state has reached 2.7 inches there is a need for growers to initiate mitigation measures to prevent the identified conditions from developing. Specific protocols for Korea and China exports must be adhered [...]
Previously we talked about the federal government shutdown and potential impacts to the California citrus industry. Well, today we shift from potential to actual. Our major priority would be the ACP/HLB program sometimes known as CHRP. We are not suffering any major impacts inasmuch so much of the funding comes from growers and the state. [...]
This time it was for a confab between fresh produce commodity leaders across the country in an attempt to get all parties in agreement specific to guest worker language and legislation in the next Congress. “Last summer the industry was not unified in our message or approach,” states CCM President Joel Nelsen, “and part of [...]
This past week CCM President Joel Nelsen filed a statement with the U.S. International Trade Commission regarding proposed talks with the European Union. “This is an analytical body within government designed to seek, analyze, and report potential trade impacts, good or bad before they happen.” CCM’s input was sought specifically to citrus. Highlights include statements about [...]