California Ag Network

Tag: California Raisins

  • Raisin Marketing Boost

    The Raisin Administrative Committee is eager to push California-grown raisins. They are hoping to get a windfall of $7.6 million left over from the California Raisin Marketing Board to aid their efforts. Raisin Administrative Committee President Jeff Smutny spoke with Matthew Malcolm from California Ag Network about the Committee’s plans and efforts. Watch this quick video and learn more in American Vineyard Magazine.

  • New Documentary Highlights Importance of Raisin Industry in Shaping the Central Valley

    Fresno County is the number one agricultural county in the nation, and grapes have long been among the top commodities bringing tremendous economic value to the community. Many of these grapes are grown by multi-generational farmers for raisin production.

    Byron Russell, a professor of film at Fresno State, took interest in his own family history with the raisin industry, leading to the development of a documentary highlighting the importance of the raisin industry in shaping the Central Valley as we know it today.

    Check out this brief interview, as Byron meets with Joseph Malcolm on California Ag Network to explain. Watch the full documentary HERE.

  • Raisin Growers Suffer Devastating Losses that Crop Insurance Won’t Cover

    California raisin growers were poised to enjoy a beautiful, high quality crop this year due to ideal spring and summer growing conditions. Stormy weather at harvest, however, followed by a cool spell, dampened their great expectations. American Vineyard Magazine Editor Matthew Malcolm met with raisin growers Nick Melkonian and Doug Benik in an unharvested raisin vineyard to assess the situation. This year’s tragedy has also shed some light on a major gap in USDA RMA insurance coverage, impacting up to half of the raisin industry today. Watch this brief interview and learn more in the coming issue of American Vineyard Magazine.

  • California Raisin Harvest 2025 and Factors Shaping Grower Prices

    California raisin harvest is underway and growers are anxious to find out what they will get for this year’s crop. Raisin Bargaining Association Chairman Charles Salmon and board member Dwayne Cardoza met with American Vineyard Magazine Editor Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network to share their outlook for this year’s crop with some concern for adverse weather at harvest and other factors influencing crop size and anticipated grower returns. Watch this brief interview, and save the date, Friday Nov. 14th for the annual State of the California Raisin Industry presentation at Malcolm Media’s Grape, Nut & Tree Fruit Expo at the Big Fresno Fairgrounds, featuring representatives from the Raisin Bargaining Association and Sun-Maid Growers.

  • RBA Celebrates Gov’t Raisin Buys, Shares Factors that will Shape Grower Prices in 2025

    California raisin growers received the second highest price ever for this past year’s crop, which is much needed as growers fight inflating production costs. While the 2025 crop is in early development and growers are far from knowing what their return will look like postharvest, Raisin Bargaining Association (RBA) leaders Charles Salmon and Dwayne Cardoza visited with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network to share some of the factors that will shape raisin pricing moving forward, such as USDA purchases, foreign imports, etc… Watch this video and read more about it in American Vineyard Magazine.

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

  • 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.

  • Sun-Maid Growers Report Success in New Product Development & Global Demand for Calfornia Raisins

    The State of the Raisin Industry address was once again a big hit at Malcolm Media’s recent Grape, Nut & Tree Fruit Expo.  In addition to hearing from Raisin Bargaining Association representatives, Steve Loftus from Sun-Maid Growers shared his perspective of 2024 raisin harvest, how the global raisin market is performing, and what Sun-Maid is doing to build demand for California raisins with new product development and consumer outreach. Watch his brief interview with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network and read the full report in the coming issue of American Vineyard Magazine.

  • Raisin Bargaining Association Negotiates Early, High Price for 2024 Crop

    The Raisin Bargaining Association (RBA) recently announced the second highest ever minimum price for the 2024 California raisin crop, agreed to by most of their signatory packers. This is pretty historic for the early time of negotiations and in the timely manner in which RBA growers can expect to get paid for their crop. RBA Chairman Charles Salmon and board member Dwayne Cardoza met with American Vineyard Magazine Editor Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network to discuss the terms of the announced price and their strategy for incremental prices increases in the future to bring greater stability to the industry.  Watch this brief interview, and don’t miss the State of the California Raisin Industry address at Malcolm Media’s Grape, Nut & Tree Fruit Expo on Nov. 8th at the Fresno Fairgrounds.  Register to attend free at https://agexpo.biz/.

  • Raisin Bargaining Association Relocates & Reports Priorities Moving Forward

    The Raisin Bargaining Association (RBA) recently held their 58th annual meeting, reporting on the successes and challenges of previous season and their outlook for 2024. American Vineyard Editor Matthew Malcolm met with RBA Chairman Charles Salmon to discuss this as well as the motive behind relocating their headquarters from downtown Fresno to their receiving station. Watch this brief interview and read more about it in American Vineyard Magazine.

  • Sun-Maid Growers Evolve to Meet Consumers Where They are Today

    At the annual meeting of Sun-Maid Growers of California in downtown Fresno, grower members gathered for a nice brunch while listening to the cooperative’s leadership on the current performance of the iconic brand and how California raisins can continue to command a premium market share around the world.  Watch this video with Sun-Maid President Steve Loftus, and read more in American Vineyard Magazine.