Almond harvest 2020 is upon us in all its hectic glory. As growers in the southern San Joaquin Valley start shaking this week, equipment that has been largely resting for an entire year will be put to work in furious fashion to safely bring in this year’s crop. And while harvest 2020 is understandably the key focus of this time …

On March 4, 2020, China announced market access for fresh U.S. nectarines as part of the U.S.-China Economic and Trade Agreement (ETA). This report briefly mentions the market access conditions for U.S. nectarines, discusses several key factors of China’s nectarine market (including import competition), and offers market-entry recommendations to consider when exporting fresh U.S. nectarines to China. Product Description & Access Overview On March 4, 2020, in …

For many years, a federal ban on growing hemp, a nonpsychoactive type of cannabis, dimmed the promise it holds for sustainable construction materials, textiles, and many other products. While the 2018 Agricultural Act legalized industrial hemp, methods for processing hemp stalks are stuck in the past. Pulping, the process of extracting valuable cellulose fibers from plant stalks, for example, releases …

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 …

Diamond of California®, the century-old producer of “Made for Homemade” specialty nuts, announces today the launch of its newest innovation, ready-to-eat Snack Walnuts. Available now in-stores nationwide, Diamond of California® Snack Walnuts are a satisfying superfood snack that respects the goodness of walnuts. Each walnut is naturally processed to remove bitterness, roasted, simply seasoned, and packaged in a ready-to-eat resealable …

The American Society for Enology and Viticulture (ASEV) selected 50 scholarship recipients to receive $107,500 in financial support in their pursuit of scientific research and advancement in enology or viticulture. Two of the scholarship recipients, Rachel Allison (Enology) from Cornell University, New York, and Jaclyn Fiola (Viticulture) from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, received the ASEV Presidents’ Award for Scholarship in …

With summer season upon us, an understanding of the seasonal uptake of potassium (K) is essential to time fertilizer applications. Potassium is required by grapevines in large amounts and is essential for vine and fruit growth. In the spring from budbreak to bloom there is a high demand for K as new growth develops at a high rate. The most …

On July 27th, the Raisin Bargaining Association’s Board of Directors offered their Signatory Packers a sliding scale fixed price of $1500-$1900/ton (depending on crop size) for the 2020 Natural Seedless Raisin Crop. The Raisin Bargaining Board of Directors has also offered our Signatory Packers a fixed price of $2500/ton for the 2020 Zante Currant crop. The Board of Directors is …

Ciatti Global Market Report —Activity on California’s bulk market has slowed since the initial March and April uptick but is still moving forward at a better pace than this time last year, assisted by the continued increase in consumer demand for wine in the US off-trade. Nielsen data shows wine’s off-trade dollar sales growth – year-on-year – at 18-24% each …

Wine lovers looking for creative ways to celebrate National White Wine Day on August 3 can steal ideas from a new–and free–California Wine Cocktails eBook. The digital book, which includes several California white wine based cocktails, can be downloaded here for instant gratification!Luscious recipes featured in the eBook include Cucumber Herb Spritzer, Fresh Berry Moscato Mule and Strawberry Lemon Smash. While the white …