California Ag Network

Tag: California Citrus Mutual

  • California Citrus Breeding Program Expanding with Congressional Support

    Today, Presidents of California Citrus Mutual (CCM) and Citrus Research Board (CRB) issued statements applauding Congressional leaders for recently approving additional funds for the new citrus breeding program in Parlier, California. Congress is allocating an additional $500,000 in federal funding on top of the $1 million granted last year to expand the program into California. The program will now receive $1.5 million in federal funds on an annual basis along with the $500,000 that CRB provides the program with annually.

    “CRB was instrumental in developing the concept for the California based program and was also involved in efforts to establish the nationwide program while CCM advocated to secure funding,” said CRB President Marcy Martin. “Our two organizations working together on behalf of the industry has been instrumental in getting this program off the ground.”

    “On behalf of the industry, I would like to thank our congressional leaders and the Committee for their continued support of this program, which will help us find solutions to issues specific to our growers located in California,” said CCM President and CEO Casey Creamer. “I would like to specifically extend our gratitude to Congressmen Costa and Valadao and Senator Padilla for championing the need for this program in D.C.”

    The California citrus breeding program will focus on fresh market citrus. Funding will go towards research and development of high-quality, superior citrus selections well suited to California growing regions, changing climatic pressures, consumer taste preferences, and resistance to pest and diseases, such as huanglongbing (HLB).

    The California program is an expansion of the existing national USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) citrus breeding program located in Fort Pierce, Florida, which is focused primarily on varieties that are optimized for Florida growing conditions. Work done through the Florida program has resulted in new varieties with higher yields, increased disease resistance, improved color, and a longer shelf life.

    The Florida and California breeding programs along with the continued support from the University of California citrus breeding program at UC Riverside will work together to deliver results for California based growers.

    The California citrus breeding program is located at the USDA-ARS field station in Parlier. Thanks to funds that have already come in, forward progress continues to be made with the addition of a dedicated scientist, developing plans for construction of a greenhouse and laboratory, and securing additional ground for the program.

    About California Citrus Mutual (CCM)
    CCM is a voluntary, non-profit trade association representing California citrus growers on the economic, regulatory, and political issues that most impact them.

    About the Citrus Research Board (CRB)
    The CRB administers the California Citrus Research Program, the grower-funded and grower-directed program established in 1968 under the California Marketing Act as the mechanism enabling the State’s citrus producers to sponsor and support needed research. More information about the Citrus Research Board may be found at www.citrusresearch.org.

  • USDA Announces Record Citrus Purchase

    For the first time, under authority of Section 32 of the Agricultural Adjustment Act Amendment of 1935, the U.S. Department of Agriculture will purchase up to $20 million of fresh mandarins and tangerines for distribution to food banks, schools and other non-conventional markets.

    USDA also announced that it will purchase up to $20 million in oranges and $10 million in grapefruit as well.

    In response to USDA’s announcement, California Citrus Mutual President Casey Creamer made the following statement, “Section 32 is an important procurement program that supports America’s farmers and provides domestic products to communities and schools. Twenty years ago, mandarins trailed all varieties of fresh citrus in per capita U.S. consumption. By 2025, however, it is anticipated that mandarins will overtake oranges as the most-consumed fresh citrus in the U.S.”

    “USDA’s domestic nutrition programs should reflect this significant shift in citrus consumption by ensuring mandarins are made available to schools and food banks. This Section 32 purchase is an excellent first step to introducing mandarins to other procurement and food distribution programs in the future.  California Citrus Mutual applauds the USDA Agriculture Marketing Service for their efforts to bring American grown mandarins and other citrus products to all consumers.”

    The purpose of Section 32 is to encourage domestic consumption of U.S. food products by diverting them from conventional market channels. Information about the purchases, including the official solicitations and procurement specifications, is posted on the Agricultural Marketing Service’s website at www.ams.usda.gov/selling-food.

    About California Citrus Mutual (CCM)

    CCM is a voluntary, non-profit trade association representing California citrus growers on the economic, regulatory, and political issues that impact them most.

  • Federal Funding for New Citrus Breeding Program in Parlier, California

    California Citrus Mutual (CCM) and the Citrus Research Board (CRB) welcome more than $1 million in new federal funding for critical research programs that support the U.S. and California citrus industries.

    The 2023 Appropriations bill passed by Congress recently includes continued funding to help stop the deadly citrus plant disease Huanglonging (HLB) that has devastated citrus production in Florida and other parts of the country. Additionally, $1 million in new funding was approved to establish a citrus breeding program at the USDA Agriculture Research Service (ARS) field station in Parlier, California. This funding will be re-appropriated annually.

    Championed by California Senator Alex Padilla and Representatives Jim Costa and David Valadao, the new California citrus breeding program will identify new citrus varieties that are best suited for changing climatic pressures such as drought, consumer taste preferences, and resistant to pests and diseases such as HLB.

    The program is an expansion of the existing national USDA ARS citrus breeding program located in Florida, which is focused primarily on varieties that are optimized for Florida growing conditions. The Florida program has resulted in new varieties with higher yields, increased disease resistance, improved color, and a longer shelf life.

    With such promising advances being made in Florida, CCM and the CRB saw the need for a similar program in California to breed fresh citrus varieties that are better adapted to the unique environmental conditions of California’s production regions.

    The CRB, which is a grower-funded organization aimed at furthering the industry’s research priorities, has committed $500,000 toward establishing the new breeding program in Parlier, with the goal of bringing additional representation to California’s industry.

    “The commitment of the citrus industry to delivering quality research and innovation for all farm use has taken a big step forward with the support of congress funding the citrus breeding program in Parlier,” said Justin Brown, CRB Chairman.

    Marcy L. Martin, CRB President, added, “Expanding the current national citrus breeding program into California will have a significant impact on California’s citrus industry as growers aim to mitigate the evolving issues that affect production and increase yield through varietal research.”

    The Florida and California breeding programs along with the continued efforts of the University of California citrus breeding program at UC Riverside will work together to deliver the best results for California citrus growers.

    “The addition of the breeding facility in Parlier will make the ARS Citrus Program a truly national project,” said CCM President and CEO Casey Creamer. “We look forward to watching the growth of this program and its collaboration with the UC breeding program to find solutions to the issues California citrus growers are faced with every day.”

    Additionally, the 2023 Federal budget includes continued funding for the Citrus Health Response Program, which supplements industry and state funding for on-the-ground efforts aimed at preventing the spread of the HLB and continued funding for the Huanglongbing Multi-Agency Coordination group, which funds research programs aimed at identifying short term solutions to HLB.

    About California Citrus Mutual (CCM)

    CCM is a voluntary, non-profit trade association representing CA citrus growers on the economic, regulatory, and political issues that impact them most.

    About the Citrus Research Board (CRB)

    The CRB administers the California Citrus Research Program, the grower-funded and grower-directed program established in 1968 under the California Marketing Act as the mechanism enabling the State’s citrus producers to sponsor and support needed research. More information about the Citrus Research Board may be found at www.citrusresearch.org.

  • California Ag Coalition Requests Immediate State Action on Water Needs

    Due to an economically crippling drought and the overwhelming regulatory demands of California, several agricultural groups formed a coalition and recently sent a letter to the governor and state legislature, both informing them of the challenges impacting farming families and requesting immediate action and funding to boost water storage and supplies. Watch this brief interview with Emily Rooney from the Ag Council of California as she explains.
    Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.

  • Jacob Villagomez Hired as CA Citrus Mutual Director of State Governmental Affairs

    California Citrus Mutual (CCM) is proud to announce we have hired Jacob Villagomez as the new Director of State Governmental Affairs. He comes to us from the State Senate, where he previously served as the District Director for Senator Melissa Hurtado.

    In his new role, Jacob will advocate on behalf of California’s citrus growers in the State legislature and within administrative and regulatory agencies.

    “I am extremely excited to add another talented member to the CCM team,” stated President/CEO Casey Creamer. “Jacob’s time as a legislative staffer will add valuable experience and perspective to the organization as we deal with significant concerns related to water, pest management, labor, and the overall cost of doing business in California. As a son of citrus farmers in the Sanger area, he has a vested interest in our success and a strong passion to bring positive change for the industry.”

    Jacob attended California State University, Fresno where he graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. He is also an alumnus of the Kenneth L. Maddy Institute’s Legislative Scholars program and a graduate of the Fresno County Farm Bureau’s Future Advocates Concerned About Tomorrow (FAACT) program.

    About California Citrus Mutual (CCM)

    CCM is a voluntary, non-profit trade association representing CA citrus growers on the economic, regulatory, and political issues that impact them most.

  • Pandemic, Drought Cause Soaring Costs for Citrus Growers

    The COVID pandemic continues to have rippling effects worldwide. For the California citrus industry, COVID and now a devastating drought, have resulted in staggering increases in farming and production costs for growers and minimal price correction in the market.

    An internal industry survey of California citrus growers conducted by California Citrus Mutual (CCM) found that, on average, farming costs for the 2020-21 season increased by nearly $1,000 per acre. This represents a 19% increase since the start of the pandemic.

    The two largest cost drivers are water and shipping. The spot market for surface water has increased 400% and in many cases is not available at all. Shipping costs are up as much as 380%, since the start of the pandemic due to the limited supply of containers and delays at ports around the world.

    While water and shipping costs are up significantly, all farming costs have increased over the past 18 months. Fertilizer costs are up 49% and diesel fuel costs are up 38%, leading to additional costs throughout the supply chain.

    “As the cost of growing and delivering high-quality California citrus increases, so must the prices consumers pay at the grocery store,” said Casey Creamer, President/CEO of California Citrus Mutual. “Growers simply cannot absorb these increases and stay in business. Now more than ever, growers, retailers, and consumers must work together to maintain cost controls and support policies that keep fresh and healthy food like California citrus plentiful and affordable.”

  • California Fresh Produce Industry Decries Assembly Action on SB 559

    In response to California State Senator Melissa Hurtado being forced to pull SB 559 after the California State Assembly Appropriations Committee removed all funding provisions, a coalition of leading California fresh produce organizations issued the following statement:

    “With nearly 90 percent of the state in extreme or exceptional drought, including virtually all the 3.25 million acres of farmland dependent on irrigation from the State Water Project and Central Valley Project, the move to strip SB 559 of its funding demonstrates the clear intent of the Assembly to drive food production out of California,” said California Fresh Fruit Association President Ian LeMay. “In light of the staggering state budget surplus, the decision to defund the repair of our critical conveyance systems is not financial, but ideological, and will harm thousands of multi-generational family farms and countless disadvantaged communities in the San Joaquin Valley.”

    “Water supply reliability is central to the production of food in California, and vital to the rural communities and statewide economy that is supported by the agriculture industry,” said California Citrus Mutual President and CEO Casey Creamer. “SB 559 would have funded long overdue repairs to canals and other conveyance infrastructure that have been damaged by subsidence. California cannot afford to waste even a single drop of its limited water resources in the face of changing hydrological conditions and recurring drought. In addition to the need to build more above and below ground storage, our state must also invest in fixing our broken water delivery systems.”

    “Farms that cannot irrigate crops to grow food will inevitably reduce operations or cease farming altogether. When enough of them do, farmworkers lose the most,” said Western Growers President and CEO Dave Puglia. “In once again eviscerating Senator Hurtado’s legislation to repair critical water infrastructure, the Assembly’s leaders leave no uncertainty as to the future they want for the farms, farmers, farmworkers and communities of the San Joaquin Valley. They will do whatever it takes to keep taxpayer money flowing to a high-speed rail project we can do without and do whatever it takes to deny funds to help repair water infrastructure we cannot do without. We are enormously grateful to Senator Hurtado for her tenacity and to those who stood with her even as their leaders gave them, and all of us, the middle finger.”

    About California Citrus Mutual:

    California Citrus Mutual was founded by growers in 1977 as a non-profit trade association and is headquartered in Exeter, California. Our members are citrus growers that collectively grow oranges, lemons, mandarins, and grapefruit across roughly 250,000 acres in California. They provide Californian’s and the world with the highest quality fresh citrus, are a critical economic sector for our rural communities, and provide ladders of opportunities for their hardworking employees and their families.

    About California Fresh Fruit Association:

    The California Fresh Fruit Association is a voluntary public policy organization that works on behalf of our members – growers, shippers, marketers and associates – on issues that specifically affect member commodities: fresh grapes, kiwis, pomegranates, cherries, blueberries, peaches, pears, apricots, nectarines, interspecific varieties, plums, apples and persimmons. It is the Association’s responsibility to serve as a liaison between regulatory and legislative authorities by acting as the unified voice of our members.

    About Western Growers:

    Founded in 1926, Western Growers represents local and regional family farmers growing fresh produce in California, Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico. Western Growers’ members and their workers provide over half the nation’s fresh fruits, vegetables and tree nuts, including half of America’s fresh organic produce.

  • CA Citrus Mutual Commends Actions Regarding Seasonal & Perishable Products

    California Citrus Mutual commends the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) for the actions they recently announced to address the injury caused by increased imports of seasonal and perishable products. Low-priced imports have previously caused a substantial market disruption for the California citrus industry during its marketing season. We are encouraged by both the Administration’s plan and its determination to bring relief to fruit and vegetable growers who are suffering from similar import issues.

    The trade remedy steps announced include the self-initiation of Section 201 global safeguard action on certain imports, USTR’s coordination with specific sectors to monitor and investigate imports under the Section 201 provisions covering perishable agricultural products and citrus products, DOC’s coordination with effected sectors on possible self-initiated antidumping and countervailing duty actions, and the Administration’s indication that still other actions and investigations may be taken. These steps are essential safeguarding and supporting all U.S. fruit and vegetable growers harmed by this problem.

    In 2017, low-priced citrus imports from the Southern Hemisphere increased 40% over the prior year’s shipments, causing significant price declines and harm to California growers. Consistent with last week’s announcement, California Citrus Mutual will closely monitor imports in the coming California season and continue to coordinate with the U.S. Government regarding any import surges, unfair import practices, and injury to our citrus growers.

    About California Citrus Mutual (CCM)

    CCM is a voluntary, non-profit trade association representing CA citrus growers on the economic, regulatory, and political issues that impact them most.

  • Challenges and Successes for the California Citrus Industry

    With all the regulatory and economic challenges facing our agricultural industries, California growers understandably have a lot to grunt and complain about; however, if growers see these challenges as opportunities and work together to overcome them, so much more can be accomplished, as has been done in the California citrus industry.  Check out this brief video interview with former President of the California Citrus Mutual, Joel Nelsen, as he explains. Read more about it in the coming issue of California Fresh Fruit Magazine.  Don’t currently receive the publication?  Subscribe for free at https://malcolmmedia.com/california-fresh-fruit-subscriptions/.

  • International Trade Dispute Impacts CA Citrus Shipments

    The ongoing international trade dispute has disrupted many California agricultural industries which rely heavily on foreign exports, including California citrus.  Watch this brief interview with former President of the California Citrus Mutual Joel Nelsen as he shares how this is impacting citrus shipments.  Read more about the outgoing President of California Citrus Mutual and his outlook for the industry in the coming issue of California Fresh Fruit Magazine.  Don’t currently receive the publication?  Subscribe for free at https://malcolmmedia.com/california-fresh-fruit-subscriptions/.