California Ag Network

Category: Featured Post

  • USDA Section 32 Almond Purchase Announcement

    The Almond Alliance of California, with support from congressional representatives, lead the advocacy efforts to have California almonds included in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Section 32 food purchase program. The approval of up to $40 million of direct purchases to various domestic food nutrition assistance programs will provide much needed relief as the almond industry navigates through the impacts of COVID-19; while also providing a healthy food source to those in need.

    As grower prices continue to drop and there is an anticipated 3-billion-pound crop for 2020 it is clear that the assistance of a USDA commodity purchase came at a critical time.  As we recover from the damages of COVID-19 and market conditions the Almond Alliance will continue to advocate for and identify opportunities for the industry. We appreciate our relationship with USDA and know that the Section 32 purchase program will give more confidence to our buyers and sellers and supply those in need with a nutritious product we are extremely proud of.

    If you have any questions related to this industry alert, please contact the Almond Alliance staff at staff@almondalliance.org. The Section 32 purchase solicitation will be coming soon.

    How to Become a Certified USDA Vendor:

    The Almond Alliance facilitated a webinar in May 2020 for almond industry handler members interested in becoming an approved vendor with USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service, Commodity Procurement Program. Click here, to view the PowerPoint presentation.  Contact information for the AMS new vendor coordinator is below.  We are in the process of scheduling a How to Become a Certified USDA Vendor webinar in mid August and we will provide those details shortly.

    Selling Food to USDA: Click Here.

    Becoming a USDA Foods Vendor: Click Here.

    Contact:  Andrea Lang, New Vendor Coordinator
    AMS Commodity Procurement Program
    Communications and Stakeholder Branch
    Email: NewVendor@usda.gov      
    Phone: 202-720-4237

    Background:
    The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) purchases a variety of 100% domestically produced and processed commodity food products, including dairy products, fruit, vegetables, meat, poultry and seafood. AMS issues solicitations and makes purchases for over 200 different USDA Foods on an ongoing basis.

    These purchases support American agriculture by providing an outlet for surplus products and encouraging consumption of domestically-produced foods. The wholesome, high-quality products purchased by USDA—collectively called USDA Foods—are delivered to schools, food banks and households in communities across the country, and are a vital component of our nation’s food safety net.

  • Kendall-Jackson Commits to Certified California Sustainable Wine Growing

    Kendall-Jackson, one of America’s most beloved family-owned and operated wineries, is proud to announce its commitment to Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing (CCSW) and will add the CCSW logo to the Vintner’s Reserve Chardonnay, the #1-selling wine in America. With this addition, Kendall-Jackson becomes one of the nation’s largest wine producers to make such a profound commitment to enhancing the sustainability of its winegrowing and supply chain. 

    “From the onset, my father, Jess Jackson, believed making great wine starts with respect for the land, the community and future generations,” said Katie Jackson, SVP of Corporate Social Responsibility. “We want to provide consumers with wine that they can feel good about drinking. The entire Kendall-Jackson family is committed to keeping my father’s legacy alive and leading California wineries in sustainable winemaking practices. We hope others will follow our path.”

    Kendall-Jackson was first certified sustainable in 2010. In 2017, the CCSW logo was introduced, and Kendall-Jackson promptly added it to the Grand Reserve tier wines. The winery is now making a substantial commitment in adding the logo to the Vintner’s Reserve wines, the largest production tier in the Kendall-Jackson portfolio. Vintner’s Reserve Chardonnay, which has been a benchmark wine for California Chardonnay, and the top-selling Chardonnay in America for the past 28 years according to IRI data, will carry the CCSW logo starting with the 2018 vintage.

    “This wine has an extensive marketplace presence across America, so this is an exciting and significant endeavor that helps bring nationwide awareness to the California wine industry’s commitment to sustainable winegrowing,” said Allison Jordan, Executive Director of the

     California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance, the governing body of the CCSW.

    Kendall-Jackson’s commitment spans the entire portfolio. The ’17 Vintner’s Reserve Merlot, the ’19 Rosé, and the ‘19 Avant Unoaked Chardonnay will also carry the logo, with other varietals following as they are bottled. Consumers will also notice it on the winery’s elevated tier of single vineyard and small-production wines, the Estates Collection.

    As the industry sees a continued increase in wine purchasing for at home consumption, there is a greater consumer desire to understand how wine is made and make choices that support sound environmental and social business practices. A January 2020 Wine Intelligence survey showed 71% of U.S. consumer and trade respondents indicating that they would consider buying sustainably produced wine in the future.

    A sustainable wine goes well beyond the boundaries of the farm, with a need to look at multiple facets of the winemaking process. This puts a stronger onus on responsibility, which is a major facet of Kendall-Jackson’s desire to seek this type of certification. The CCSW sustainable winegrowing concept results in a three-pronged approach relating to the natural environment, quality of grapes and wine, and social responsibility to employees and communities.

    The CCSW certification consists of 140 vineyard and 104 winery best practices that are third-party audited each year. In order for an individual wine to be certified sustainable, at least 85% of the grapes in each bottle must come from a certified sustainable vineyard and the wine must be produced in a certified winery, with 100% of the grapes coming from California vineyards. For the past three decades, the Jackson family has cultivated many of California’s greatest cool, coastal mountains, ridges and benchland vineyards, allowing them a broad perspective of terroir to showcase some of California’s finest growing regions. The Jackson family considers themselves farmers first, and believes the better the soil, the better the wine. The same passion that led the family to acquire the best vineyards throughout coastal California also drives them to care for the land and employ certified sustainable farming practices. One hundred percent of Kendall-Jackson’s more than 14,000 acres of estate vineyards throughout cool, coastal California are third-party Certified Sustainable. No other winery can boast this breadth of sustainably farmed vineyards.

    The benefits of sustainable winegrowing are immense. Winemaking that supports environmental concerns as it conserves natural resources, improves air and water quality, and protects ecosystems and wildlife habitat. For the workforce, sustainable winemaking means stewardship of natural and human resources, with growers and vintners contributing to their communities both economically and culturally. Kendall-Jackson’s final product of higher quality grapes and wine is a testament to the in-depth attention to detail and continuous improvement needed to achieve this rigorous annual certification. By choosing Kendall-Jackson and other California wines with the CCSW logo, consumers can support an industry dedicated to environmental stewardship and socially equitable business practices.

    ABOUT CERTIFIED CALIFORNIA SUSTAINABLE WINEGROWING / CALIFORNIA SUSTAINABLE WINEGROWING ALLIANCE (CSWA)

    CSWA is a nonprofit organization created in 2003 by Wine Institute and the California Association of Winegrape Growers to promote the benefits of sustainable winegrowing practices, enlist industry commitment and implement the Sustainable Winegrowing Program. In 2010, CSWA introduced Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing, a third-party certification program for California vineyards and wineries that adheres to international sustainability standards. Through annual audits, this certification provides independent verification of stringent requirements that ensure key sustainability areas such as soil health, water and energy, habitat, human resources and more are addressed. Certified vineyards and wineries must also measure resources and performance and improve year after year. The logo on wine labels indicates that the wine is made in a Certified California Sustainable winery with grapes from California certified vineyards.

    ABOUT KENDALL-JACKSON

    Kendall-Jackson is one of America’s most beloved family-owned and operated wineries. The winery’s flagship wine, the Vintner’s Reserve Chardonnay, has been America’s favorite Chardonnay for over 28 years. Founded by entrepreneur and visionary Jess Jackson in 1982, and now led by his wife Barbara Banke and the Jackson family, Kendall-Jackson is based in Sonoma County and offers a range of acclaimed wines grown on the family’s estate vineyards along the coastal ridges of California. Kendall-Jackson is the benchmark for sustainable wine endeavors, setting the precedent for advancement in solar, water, and vineyard practices. Wine Enthusiast Magazine recently named Kendall-Jackson the 2017 winery of the year, one of the wine industry’s most notable accolades. Recognized as a leader in the industry for more than three decades, Kendall-Jackson has built a reputation centered around consistent, high-quality wines that are available nationwide in grocery stores, boutique wine retailers, and restaurants throughout America and globally in Europe, Central America, and Asia. Learn more online at www.kj.com, and follow Kendall-Jackson on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram

  • New Study Reveals Blueberry Growers Strengthen U.S. Economy by the Billions

    Growers of U.S. highbush blueberries generate more than $4.7 billion in annual economic impact, translating to more than $12.7 million flowing into the U.S. economy every day of the year.

    “The U.S. highbush blueberry industry – including 12,739 blueberry farms – is a powerful financial force,” said Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC). “Behind every farm are growers who not only tend a truly remarkable superfruit, but also stimulate business activity, create thousands of jobs and contribute mightily to the economy.”

    In addition to the $4.7 billion in total economic impact, which includes several factors related to increased business activity as a result of growing blueberries, a new economic impact study commissioned by the USHBC further reveals:

    • Jobs: U.S. highbush blueberry growers alone create and sustain more than 44,535
      full-time equivalent jobs each year. These jobs are a result of the business activities of growers and the multiplier effect their purchases generate in a variety of farming and nonfarming sectors.

      It is important to note that this substantial job number does not include the jobs supported by blueberry processors or handlers. We would see even higher numbers if the full blueberry supply chain was considered, but for the purposes of this study, we focused exclusively on the economic impact of highbush blueberry growers, said Cronquist.

    • Labor Income: Nearly $1.8 billion in labor income is generated by the business activities of growers – equating to more than $4.9 million each day. These are dollars going to wages and salaries for new employment, as well as expanded incomes to those already in the labor force for activities such as overtime pay. These dollars are then diffused throughout the U.S. economy as the funds are spent on crucial goods and services such as food, housing, transportation and health care, Cronquist added.

     

    • Indirect Business Taxes: Each year, more than $145 million in indirect business taxes, not including income taxes, are generated by U.S. highbush blueberry growers. These collective indirect business taxes translate to nearly $400,000 per day. To put this in context, the annual tax revenue generated from U.S. highbush blueberry growers is more than the 2019 U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Operations and Support budget ($129 million) or the 2019 U.S. Department of Energy’s Cyber Security, Energy Security and Emergency Resources budget ($96 million).

    “It is clear that blueberry growers play a significant role in strengthening the economic climate of the United States,” said Cronquist. “Their activities are diffused throughout the economy, touching nearly every aspect of life throughout the country.”

    U.S. Highbush Blueberry Growers Stimulate Major Economic Impact in Key Growing States

    In addition to the dramatic national economic influence of highbush blueberry growers, contributions are also significant at the state level in terms of financial influx and jobs created. A breakout of the grower impact in the top eight highbush blueberry states is included here:

     

    State Economic Impact
    (Millions/Annual)    		 Jobs Created
    (Full-time Equivalent/Annual)
    Michigan $530.4 6,600
    Georgia $521.8 4,140
    California $458.6 4,240
    Washington $464.4 4,450
    Oregon $353.5 3,505
    Florida $295.3 2,540
    New Jersey $149.3 1,885
    North Carolina $125.9 990

     

    About the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council
    Established in 2000, the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) is a federal agriculture research and promotion program with independent oversight from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). USHBC represents blueberry growers and packers in North and South America who market their blueberries in the United States and overseas and works to promote the growth and well-being of the entire blueberry industry. USHBC was established by blueberry growers and currently has 2,500 growers, packers and importers. USHBC is committed to providing blueberries that are grown, harvested, packed and shipped in clean, safe environments. Learn more at ushbc.org.

  • CA Table Grape Season in Full Swing with Lower Crop Estimate

    With the California table grape season in full swing and expectations for a positive season as the backdrop, the California Table Grape Commission revised its estimate for the 2020 table grape crop to 104.9 million 19-pound boxes, down from its April estimate of 106.5 million. The final harvest in 2019 was 104.99 million 19-pound boxes.

    “Estimating the crop is a detailed process that is formally undertaken three times a year and involves volume projections based on growing districts,” said Kathleen Nave, president of the California Table Grape Commission. “The significant amount of vineyard removal in 2019 appears to have been offset by new vineyards coming into production in 2020,” Nave said.

    Noting that demand has been strong and steady, Nave said the expectation is that the season as a whole will be a positive one. “Quality is excellent and demand is strong in the U.S. and in export markets, and grapes are a perfect fit for consumers in these complicated times: simple, flavorful, versatile, and full of health-enhancing phytonutrients that boost immune health.”

    With 65 percent of the California table grape crop typically shipped between September 1 and the end of January, Nave said that while grapes are a summer fruit, they are very definitely a fall and early winter fruit. With over 80 table varieties grown in California, consumers have lots of different grapes to try. For ideas that go beyond snacking, Nave suggests checking out the extensive collection of traditional and on-trend usage ideas at www.grapesfromcalifornia.com. 

  • Progress on Navel Orangeworm Sterile Insect Technique Research

    Most tree nut growers have heard about the sterile insect technique research underway to combat Navel Orangeworm, the number one pest threat to almond and pistachio growers.  But what is the progress on this program and how soon can we expect to see these sterile insects released on a large scale to support California growers?  Watch this brief interview with Houston Wilson from the Kearney Ag Research & Extension Center, UC Cooperative Extension, to learn more.
    Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra by taking this brief Survey.

  • Fresno State Virtual Grape Day, August 4

    Celebrating 35 years with the Viticulture & Enology Research Center at California State University Fresno, American Vineyard Magazine is once again pleased to sponsor Fresno State Grape Day, hosted virtually for the first time ever by the Department of Viticulture & Enology team at Fresno State.  Grape Day will be held virtually on August 4th, featuring a new staff of bright minds at the Viticulture & Enology Research Center.  Grape growers, vineyard managers, wine makers, and grape industry stakeholders around the nation are all invited to attend this year’s Grape Day.

    Held from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m and moderated by Dr. Stephan Sommer (the new Director of the Viticulture & Enology Research Center), Grape Day will kick off with a presentation by by graduate student Khushwinder Singh and Dr. Luca Brillante, Bronco Wine Co. Viticulture Chair & Assistant Professor of Viticulture at Fresno State.  They will be presenting on Vineyard Soil Reclamation by Different Forms & Doses of CaSO4 Amendments in the San Joaquin Valley of California.  Dr. Rachel Naegele, Research Horticulturist at USDA, will provide a USDA-ARS update on Breeding Novelty & Resistant Table Grapes.  Dr. Kristy Sun, Assistant Professory of Enology at Fresno State will deliver her presentation on the Impact of Deficit Irrigation & Mechanical Leafing on Yield & Berry/Wine Composition of San Joaquin Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.  Dr. Stephan Sommer will lead a presentation on the Use of Polysaccharides in Wine Production.

    In addition to a brief video presentation to showcase the Fresno State Viticulture & Enology Research Center’s unique research and academic programs/facilities, Grape Day will conclude with a Demonstration of Biopotentials as a New Tool to Evaluate Sensory Stimulation Evoked by Wine Aroma.  This presentation will feature Assistant Professor of Enology at Fresno State Dr. Miguel Pedroza, as well as graduate students Robert Herrell and Kori Munk.

    With an exciting lineup of great speakers and informative presentations, this is a Grape Day not to be missed, and can be viewed anywhere in the world this year!  Register for the Zoom Virtual Grape Day for FREE HERE.

  • UCR Wins $10 Million to Develop AI for Sustainable Ag

    Digital Agriculture Team Principal Investigator Elia Scudiero. (Elia Scudiero/UCR)

    The University of California, Riverside, has won a $10 million grant to develop artificial intelligence that will increase the environmental and economic stability of agriculture in the Western U.S. 

    This Sustainable Agricultural Systems grant is one of nine given by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, or NIFA, annually to shape the future of U.S. agriculture toward environmental, economic, and socially sustainable food production. It is the third-largest grant in UCR history.

    This project will focus on the Colorado River Basin and Salinas River Valley areas, which employ more than 500,000 people and generate roughly $12 billion annually in revenue.

    Despite its productivity, the region has experienced major, prolonged droughts over the past 20 years, and is increasingly under attack by weed, pathogen, and insect invasions worsened by climate change. In addition to insufficient water, soil and water degradation from excessive salt and chemicals is also a threat. This project will develop solutions to these problems in the form of new data science tools, a new multistate cooperative extension program for growers, and a fellowship to educate future agriculture leaders.

    Elia Scudiero, a professional researcher in UCR’s Department of Environmental Sciences, is the project’s principal investigator. Scudiero is an expert in soil, plant, and water relationships, and received NIFA’s New Investigator Award in 2019.

    In addition to Scudiero, the following UC Riverside scientists are involved: Hoori Ajami, Ahmed Eldawy, Milt McGiffen, Connie Nugent, Vagelis Papalexakis, Alexander Putman, Monique Rivera, and Kurt Schwabe. Partner institutions include UC Agriculture and Natural Resources, USDA Agricultural Research Service, University of Arizona, Duke University, Colorado State University, and University of Georgia.

    Leaders of the UC Riverside Digital Agriculture Team. (Elia Scudiero/UCR)

    One of the major challenges of this project will be teaching AI algorithms to synthesize massive amounts of data from a wide variety of sources. Vagelis Papalexakis, assistant professor of computer science and engineering, explained there is currently no one prevailing method for combining such radically different types of data.

    The crux of the solution, he said, will involve inventing new statistical and algebraic models that find repeated and generalizable patterns between seemingly different types of data.

    “This will be an endeavor that will help make field management more efficient, reduce costs for growers, and make food more accessible,” Papalexakis said. “This by itself is an amazing prospect. But the lessons learned from this project also have the potential to advance core AI techniques for combining large, disparate data sets, which extend to a wide variety of real-life applications.”

    A key piece of advancing the agriculture industry will be supplying it with the next generation of growers, managers, and scientists. According to the USDA, the average age of farmers in California went from 56.8 in 2002 to 60.1 in 2012. There is a need to recruit more young people into the workforce, and this project represents an opportunity to do so.

    Funds from this grant will establish a Digital Agriculture Fellowship program that will recruit more than 50 students over the next five years.

    Data, environmental, or agricultural science students will mostly come from UCR, while some will come from partnering institutions. Those coming from other universities will spend summers at UCR participating in career development activities.

    Students will be paired with faculty mentors to develop unique research projects they’ll undertake throughout their 1.5 years as fellows. Internships with key commercial partners are also a focal feature of the program.

    “This program will not only provide intensive professional training for the students, it will also spread awareness of big challenges facing American food growers when students present at academic and professional conferences,” said Connie Nugent, Divisional Dean for Student Academic Affairs.

    The UCR College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences has a track record of success in managing undergraduate research and mentorship programs. The Digital Agriculture Fellowship is an adjunct to UCR’s Research in Science and Engineering, or RISE program, offering long-term guidance for undergraduate success, preparation for graduate school, and careers as leaders in the agricultural sector.

    Scudiero is excited for the project to begin in September this year.

    “This work is very relevant not only for California, but for the entire U.S. Southwest because of water scarcity and other environmental challenges facing us all,” Scudiero said. “We hope to bring transformative changes to the entire farming system in this area of the country and engage students, as well as the research and farming communities in the process.” — By Jules Bernstein, UC Riverside

  • CA Squash Delights Meals All Year

    Summer Squash Harvest at Frontyard Farms

    Whether you grow it, grind it into other forms or just enjoy it at mealtime your choice of squash from California is almost without limits.  Florida is the only state that produces more squash than California, but a half dozen other states produce it commercially.

    Production in Mexico has increased steadily, competing primarily with growers in the Coachella Valley for the early spring market.  The Central San Joaquin Valley is a major producer, mostly of the spring and summer varieties, with large volumes coming from the Stockton area and from the Salinas Valley as summer progresses.

    As any backyard gardener knows, seed packets of dozens of squash varieties are at your fingertips, and squash plants grow heartily and produce generously in about 60 days after planting.  Along with radishes squash plants are about as sure a bet as home gardeners can make in early summer, practically guaranteed to produce enough to share with a neighbor.

    But even a small backyard planting attracts hungry, and sometimes large and ugly, insects, that demand control measures if the vegetable is to grow to tasty maturity. Probably more than any other vegetable, squashes provide home gardeners an experience closer to those of experienced professional producers than any other food commodity.  Weather, irrigation demands, insect attacks and harvest determinations are comparable at whatever level or volume the vegetable is grown. In a 12-foot row of squash behind the house a homeowner will perform about the same duties as a commercial grower tending acres of squash, and at about the same time.

    Ratatouille made with Summer Squash from Frontyard Farms in Fresno, CA

    For those who appreciate squashes only for meal preparation and enhancement the passing parade of varieties at their supermarkets or vegetable stands is an assuring feature.  Part of the delight is in the variety of colors and shapes that squashes present, from crisp green to deep reds and purples, and shapes that stretch from banana-like to circular and bulbous.

    To isolate on just one of the many squash varieties, butternut, provides ample interest and intrigue.  A colorful winter variety, butternut squash is technically not a vegetable, but a fruit. It is not only tasty, but heavily endowed with vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants, but low in calories.  Preparation commonly involves roasting or baking.

    Research has shown that diets high in certain antioxidants such as those found in butternut squash can reduce the risk of certain cancers. Studies have demonstrated that a higher dietary intake of beta-carotene and vitamin C may reduce lung cancer risk.  Butternut squash contains high levels of both.

    Mixed Summer Squash at Frontyard Farms’ Produce Stand in Fresno, CA

    Those thinking about weight loss – and that seems to include almost everybody these days – can be encouraged that a cup of cooked butternut has only 83 calories, and provides seven grams of filling fiber, making it an excellent choice for those concentrating on losing excess weight and body fat.

    Aside from all the appeal to health and weight-loss enthusiasts most of the squashes grown commercially are relatively easy to pack and ship.  They are not easily bruised or otherwise damaged in the harvest and packing mode, and commonly arrive at their commercial destinations undamaged and ready to display.  Their color and freshness seem to appeal to shoppers without their being dressed up or polished.

    Don Curlee

    One Central California grower and shipper of a large volume of squash for most of every year said he expects recent virus and health concerns to not be focused on the popular vegetable.  Rather, the health benefits of those in the squash family might receive increased attention in the months ahead.  Quick! Get those seeds in the ground. – By Don Curlee, Ag at Large

  • Study Shows Pistachios May Be Helpful in Weight Loss Plan

    Nut-loving consumers looking to lose a few pounds can feel better about keeping pistachios at hand as a result of a new study.  The study, published in the July 20 issue of Nutrients, shows adding U.S. pistachios to the diet can contribute to weight loss, in the context of a calorie-restricted diet in a behavioral intervention, and may contribute additional health benefits such as lowering blood pressure.  While several scientific studies have shown pistachios are helpful in maintaining a healthy weight, or will not cause weight gain, this is the first to examine the role of pistachios as part of a weight loss plan in a real world setting.

    Researchers at the University of California, San Diego investigated whether U.S. pistachios could be used as part of a weight loss program in a study with 100 healthy, overweight and obese individuals.  All participants received general dietary and behavioral weight loss advice, and instruction on ways to increase their physical activity.  Half of the participants included 1.5 ounces of pistachios in their daily diet (Pistachio group) and the other half did not (Control group).  Researchers measured the participants’ health information, diet and lab tests for cardiovascular disease risk at the beginning and end of the 4-month study.

    According to the researchers, both groups lost about 5 percent of their body weight and both significantly decreased their waist circumference and body mass index (BMI).  Waist circumference and BMI are indicators of not only obesity, but whether or not you may be at risk for diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.  In addition to these measurements, there were added benefits to the Pistachio group, including lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure, increased fiber intake and lower consumption of sweets than the Control group.  The Pistachio group also had higher blood levels of the antioxidant carotenoids of lutein, alpha- and beta-carotene and a healthier ratio of poly- and mono-unsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids.

    According to the lead researcher, Cheryl Rock PhD, RD, “this study adds to the body of evidence that U.S. pistachios can be a component of a weight loss diet, can increase intake of key nutrients, and can promote a healthy dietary pattern”.

    Studies have shown U.S. pistachios have a unique set of nutrients that have multiple health benefits.  In March, it was announced pistachios are a complete protein, containing all 9 of the essential amino acids required to sustain health for those 5 years and older.  This was discovered when the protein quality of pistachios was analyzed by the University of Illinois.  They have mono- and poly-unsaturated fatty acids which are beneficial for lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease, contain the phytonutrients lutein and zeaxanthin which have protective properties for the eyes from blue light and ultraviolet light, and are a good source of fiber and vitamin B6.  For more information and studies, visit AmericanPistachios.org.

  • California Prune Growers Suffer the Brunt

    California prune growers forced economically to make a 23% reduction in crop deliveries have also suffered a 28% reduction in price. This hardship comes in spite of a number of positive factors for the industry including $50 million in USDA purchases of prunes and positive results from trade mitigation offsets and industry promotion efforts in Japan and elsewhere. Growers reviewed the daunting double hit to grower returns from a number of factors including the disruption to trade caused by the coronavirus pandemic at the 52nd annual membership meeting of the Prune Bargaining Association (PBA) held on Thursday last week by conference call/video conference.

    Average grower returns for a number of growers will fall by more than $500 per ton from the previous crop year according to data presented by PBA General Manager Greg Thompson. “Growers are to be commended for the tremendous efforts they have made to match production with demand,” explained Thompson. “Growers were told they would be paid little or nothing for smaller prunes, so they increased their efforts to prune, thin, and then screen out fruit at harvest, bringing the crop down from an estimated 110,000 tons to 85,000 tons.” As background, according to the University of California, growers have an investment of nearly $18,000 per acre (not including land) to establish a prune orchard. Growers spend an additional $4,194 per acre each year to produce and deliver the crop. “The extra effort made this past year by growers increases expenses and reduces yields,” explains Thompson. “It is truly a double whammy to have grower prices fall so precipitously.”

    The brutal cut to grower prices comes in the face of many positives for the industry. Imports of cheaper but poorer quality prunes are down 76% for the first 5 months of year, while domestic shipments of California prunes are up 13%. USDA programs in response to unfair and retaliatory tariffs and trade barriers, and needy family feeding programs, have helped offset losses in overseas markets and gain back market share. Shipments to Japan, a key market for California prunes, are up 14% over the previous year. Over the past 3 years, the USDA has purchased nearly $50 million of prunes for needy families, school lunch, and other feeding programs.

    One of the biggest positives for the California prune growers comes from a united industry working together to promote health and wellness through nutrition research. “Everbody wants to make a health claim these days,” explains Ranvir Singh, PBA President. “But prunes are the tried and true healthy and completely natural food. There is so much more to the health benefits of eating prunes than anyone first imagined.” Scientific research is revealing more and more about the importance of gut health to overall health. Prunes have been shown to have a positive impact on both gut health and bone health, among other bonuses. “The benefits of micro-nutrients, boron, potassium, fiber and an apparent anti- inflammation benefit in gut make prunes a truly remarkable food,” remarks Singh.

    The Prune Bargaining Association was formed in 1968 as a grower-owned cooperative to improve the economy of the California prune industry, encourage the production of a quality product and provide a forum for growers to exchange ideas regarding the industry. The PBA establishes the industry’s raw product price for prunes.