California Ag Network

Tag: California Raisin Industry

  • What Growers Should Know about the “New” National Raisin Company, After Chilean Purchase

    Many have heard rumors of a farming company out of Chile purchasing National Raisin Company, a dried fruit packer that has been serving the California raisin industry since 1969, founded by the Bedrosian brothers. To set the facts straight and introduce themselves to the industry, the Sutil family, new owners of National Raisin, recently gathered with growers in Fresno and shared their new vision for the long-established company. Watch this interview as Juan Sutil Jr. from Empresas Sutil S.A. meets with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network to discuss this vision and the future of National Raisin Company.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor SIPCAM AGRO USA for their industry support.

  • Two New Labor-Saving Raisin Varieties Show Promise for CA Growers

    Watch this brief interview with UC Viticulture Extension Specialist Matthew Fidelibus with an update on the performance of a couple of new labor-saving DOV raisin grape varieties that are showing a lot of promise for the industry.  Visit AmericanVineyardMagazine.com/calendar/ to get more information on a couple upcoming raisin industry meetings to provide growers the opportunity to check out these varieties for themselves.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Ranch Systems for their industry support.

  • Why Sun-Maid Growers Acquired Plum Organics

    When Sun-Maid Growers announced its acquisition of baby food brand Plum Organics in 2021, it came as a surprise to many.  Naturally, raisin growers wanted to know how this might benefit the California raisin industry, beyond simply growing and diversifying Sun-Maid’s portfolio.  Watch this brief interview with Sun-Maid Growers Executive Chairman Harry Overly as he explains.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Ranch Systems for their industry support.

  • California Raisin Marketing Board Gets Shut Down

    Just last month, a vote passed to shut down the California Raisin Marketing Board. But what of generic California raisin marketing and the iconic dancing raisins? Watch this brief interview with Dwayne Cardoza from the Raisin Bargaining Association and read more about it in American Vineyard Magazine.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Vmech for their industry support.

  • Will Declining Raisin Grape Acreage Lead to Higher Raisin Prices?

    California raisin growers have been disappointed this year with the raisin market after coming off of record high raisin prices the year before.  Is this price volatility expected to last, and will the continued removal of raisin acreage impact future pricing? Watch this brief interview with Steve Kister, Chairman of Board with Sun-Maid Growers, and read more about it in the February issue of American Vineyard Magazine.

     

    Please thank our sponsor Duarte Nursery for their industry support and tell them you saw them on California Ag Network.

  • A Brand New Sun-Maid: Investing in the Future

    The dried fruit sector hasn’t been as popular with millennial consumers as in other generations, but Sun-Maid Growers are working to turn things around (at least for California raisins) with some new strategies and investments as shared at their annual meeting in Fresno recently.  Watch this brief interview with Sun-Maid CEO Harry Overly and read more about it in American Vineyard Magazine.

     

    Please thank our sponsor Duarte Nursery for their industry support and tell them you saw them on California Ag Network.

  • No Demand for CA Thompson Grapes in the Crush this Year?

    The demand for Central Valley Thompson Seedless grapes in the crush this year is diving to another record low.  Why is this the case and what does it mean for the California wine and raisin industries?  Watch this brief interview with Jeff Bitter, President of Allied Grape Growers, and read more about it in the September issue of American Vineyard Magazine.

    Please thank our sponsor Duarte Nursery for their industry support and attend their upcoming Grapevine Clonal Field Days.  Learn more HERE.