Pacific Nut Producer Magazine

Category: Walnuts

  • India Will Eliminate Twenty Percent Retaliatory Tariff on US Walnuts

    United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai’s announcement today that India agreed to remove retaliatory tariffs on walnuts, as well as additional US products, is welcome news.  Trade representatives from the United States and India have been working together on a package of trade deliverables announced today during this week’s visit of India’s Prime Minister Modi for meetings with President Biden and a joint session of Congress.

    “The California walnut industry has had a long-standing partnership with the India marketplace which is an integral part of the industry’s overall long term long-term strategic growth and market development plan.” said Pam Graviet, Senior Director of Global Programs for the California Walnut Commission.  “Indian consumers and trade partners continue to recognize the premium quality of California walnuts and the nutritional value and great taste they bring to the Indian diet. Elimination of India’s retaliatory tariffs will benefit Indian consumers and businesses, as well as the California walnut industry,” she added.

    The California walnut industry brought this ongoing issue to the attention of the Biden Administration early in the presidency and appreciate their tenacity and commitment which led to this agreement. We commend USTR Ambassador Katherine Tai and Ambassador Doug McKalip on negotiating this successful outcome for California’s walnut producers and processors. Ambassador McKalip recently visited California and had an occasion to tour walnut and almond orchards and learn firsthand the severe financial impact the 20% retaliatory tariff inflicted on the California walnut industry.

    We also appreciate USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) Administrator Daniel Whitley and the FAS personnel who helped the industry through this challenging period.  The Market Access Program (MAP) continues to be a crucial element in enabling us to maintain our relationships in India and seek new market opportunities. We are grateful for efforts by federal, state, local elected officials, regulators, and their staff for diligently keeping this topic on the forefront of trade discussions.

    Robert Verloop, the Chief Executive Officer for the California Walnut Commission said, “the California walnut growers have been severely impacted by a host of unprecedented events over the last few years; including the various trade tariffs, COVID pandemic-induced supply chain and transportation disruptions, global economic downturn, inflationary pressures, high dollar values, the complications brought on by the war in Ukraine and the persistent drought and heat wave that severely impacted our 2023 crop.”

    “Tree nut growers, most of whom are multi-generational family farms, make a long-term investment in their crops.  Walnut orchards can be highly productive for over 30 years; accordingly, the growers make decisions to produce the revered California walnuts with the expectations that we have fair and equitable access to global markets which represent more than 65% of our sales. The removal of this tariff is welcomed by our industry and provides a pathway to strengthening our trade relations with this important market and trading partner” added Verloop.

    Ms. Graviet stated, “California walnuts are perfectly aligned to meet the global demands for more healthy, nutritious, and great tasting plant-based foods.  The removal of the retaliatory tariff in India will enable our growers to help meet these demands in India.  We thank our Indian trade partners and retailers for their ongoing support and commitment to California walnuts and look forward to building greater distribution and consumption of our walnuts.”

  • California Walnut Grower Fallows Land for Water Recharge Purposes

    Watch this brief video with Chowchilla walnut grower Mark Hutson who chose to fallow some of his land for groundwater recharge purposes last year, not knowing that he’d be able to put it to use so soon with the tremendous storm systems that came through this past winter and spring.  Learn about his experience in utilizing NRCS grant funding to prepare his land for recharge, and consider whether some form of groundwater recharge will work on your farm in the near future.

  • Young Farmers & Ranchers Program Develops Future Leaders

    The California Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers and Ranchers (YF&R) program is designed to identify, grow and develop young Farm Bureau members and provide them with opportunities and experiences to help them become effective leaders in the agriculture community.

    But when Jocelyn Anderson, a fourth-generation almond and walnut grower from Willows joined the state YF&R Committee in 2018, little did she realize the opportunities that would be made available to her, the latest being the United Nations Climate Change Conference, where she told delegates from around the world about ways California farmers are working to save water.

    “I was able to meet people from around the world, farmers and people in policy. I didn’t know what to expect but came out excited. Attendees said we need to work with farmers, or climate policies won’t work,” she said about the meetings in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, in November.  “I think it opens the door for ag to continue to be at the table, make policymakers understand what we need to be successful and form better agreements together.”

    Mark Littlefield, President and CEO of AgWest Farm Credit, said developing future leaders like Anderson is why California’s Farm Credit organizations have been supporting the YF&R program for nearly 15 years.

    “The Young Farmers and Ranchers program has a great track record of developing future leaders in agriculture, both nationally and here in California,” Littlefield said. “Farm Credit is proud to have provided over $145,000 over the years to support YF&R’s efforts to promote farming and build stronger and sustainable rural communities.”

    Other Farm Credit organizations supporting the program are American AgCredit, CoBank, Colusa-Glenn Farm Credit, Fresno Madera Farm Credit and Yosemite Farm Credit. The organizations are part of the nationwide Farm Credit System – the largest provider of credit to U.S. agriculture.

    California Farm Bureau President Jamie Johansson agreed that the YF&R program helps develop farming leaders.

    “The California Farm Bureau is proud to support the next generation of farmers and ranchers through the Young Farmers and Ranchers program,” Johansson said. “We see firsthand how participants in YF&R can make a difference locally, nationally and even internationally. The future of agriculture is in good hands, thanks to the contributions and dedication of our YF&R community.”

    Anderson’s great-grandparents began the family’s farming legacy, growing oranges in Anaheim on land now occupied by Disneyland. In 1950, her grandparents moved north to begin operations in Glenn County. The farm has grown to 1,000 acres and also includes a walnut hulling operation.

    Besides learning everything her father, Gary, knows about farming so she can eventually assume the reins, Anderson has spent several years in YF&R activities at the state and national levels. She served on the California YF&R Committee for several years before becoming vice chair and in 2022 the organization’s chair. During the last two years of her service, she was also an American Farm Bureau YF&R Committee member and helped organize state and national leadership conferences.

    The most recent California YF&R conference was held in early December in Monterey and attracted more than 120 members.

    She said developing expertise in agricultural issues so she could become a strong advocate was an important outcome of her participation.

    “It’s important that we have people fighting for ag in the future,” she said. “We have the fifth-largest agricultural economy in the world in California, with close to 400 different crops and livestock grown here. But it’s also one of the most regulated states and we face issues other states haven’t faced yet. Being an advocate for what small family farms need to be successful is doing what’s best for my family farm and everyone else’s.”

    Through her YF&R involvement, she was introduced to Solutions from the Land (SfL), a nonprofit formed in 2009 to put farmers, ranchers and foresters at the forefront of resolving food system, energy, environmental and climate challenges. SfL has brought farmers to the U.N. Climate Summits for a decade and participated in discussions during the past five years. This year, the summit featured its first ag-themed day.

    She discussed how California farmers are using water more efficiently. For example, she said GSA Farms drains water used in hulling operations back into the fields so it can percolate into the ground and help recharge the aquifer. She also talked about how the farm reuses the shells and leaves from the hulling operations to fertilize the soil for planting winter wheat.

    Anderson said she constantly encourages young people involved in agriculture to get involved in YF&R because it allows them to be advocates for the industry and to share their own stories with others.

    “I think it’s extremely important to belong,” she said. “Not only does it create a network for you, it’s also important that we have people fighting for ag in the future.”

    Keith Hesterberg, President and CEO of Fresno Madera Farm Credit, agreed.

    “The state continues to impose increasingly stringent and expensive regulations on California’s farmers and ranchers,” Hesterberg said. “While many of these new requirements are well-intentioned, state officials need to understand how the cumulative impact is affecting farmers’ ability to keep their businesses going. The best voice for agriculture is family farmers who can share their experiences and provide alternative solutions that can ensure that California continues to feed the nation for generations to come.”

    Anderson and other panelists who spoke at the U.N. Climate Change Conference panel “Water Is the Face of Climate Change” in Egypt last November.

    About Farm Credit: 

    AgWest Farm Credit, American AgCredit, CoBank, Colusa-Glenn Farm Credit, Fresno Madera Farm Credit and Yosemite Farm Credit are cooperatively owned lending institutions providing agriculture and rural communities with a dependable source of credit. For more than 100 years, the Farm Credit System has specialized in financing farmers, ranchers, farmer-owned cooperatives, rural utilities and agribusinesses. Farm Credit offers a broad range of loan products and financial services, including long-term real estate loans, operating lines of credit, equipment and facility loans, cash management and appraisal and leasing services…everything a “growing” business needs. For a link to this article and for more information, visit www.farmcreditalliance.com

    About the Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee:

    The Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee is a program for agriculturalists between the ages of 18 and 35 involved in production, banking, business, and many other areas of the industry. YF&R provides opportunities to develop leadership skills through involvement in Farm Bureau at the county, state, and national levels. YF&R members are a vital part of the organization. Each member’s efforts help California Farm Bureau to effectively represent the diversity of farmers and ranchers across the state. For more information, visit https://www.cfbf.com/ag-programs/young-farmers-ranchers

  • Diamond Foods Debuts the Reimagined Harmony®, 50-Year-Old Santa Cruz Trail Mix Brand

    Diamond Foods, packaged goods parent company for brands like Diamond of California®, announces today the relaunch of Harmony®, a 50-year-old Santa Cruz trail mix brand founded by two surfers who made a delicious portable snack of nuts and dried fruit so they never missed the next big wave. The brand is back and better than ever with a fresh look and two new tasty and nutritious trail mix varieties, Amped Omega-3 and Colossal Keto, both of which will debut at Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, California from March 9-11 (Hall A, #877).

    In an effort to relaunch Harmony® and stay true to its original mission of “fueling your next adventure”, Diamond Foods opted to revamp the brand’s look and trail mix varieties using some of California’s best ingredients, including Diamond of California® Snack Walnuts and Sonoma Creamery® Parmesan Cheese Crisps. The two new trail mix varieties, Amped Omega-3 and Colossal Keto, were inspired by Harmony’s original recipe, Mega Mountain, and developed to highlight the nutritional qualities of tree nuts while also accommodating modern eating habits like the ketogenic diet.

    “We are thrilled to be reimagining Harmony®, a local Northern California brand that was ahead of its time 50 plus years ago,” says Brian Huff, President of Diamond Foods. Doug Kozlow, Senior Marketing Manager for Harmony® and Diamond of California® adds, “Today, trail mixes are a staple for both everyday and epic adventures as they are a great source of plant-based protein and better-for-you fats. By bringing back the brand that started it all, we are excited to provide people with trail mix options that integrate into their active lifestyles.”

    Harmony® Trail Mixes:

    • NEW Amped Omega-3 (SRP:$6.99/10oz): A functional blend of Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA) Omega-3 superfoods like Diamond of California® Himalayan Pink Salt Walnuts, almonds, pumpkin seeds, raw walnuts, and dried cranberries. Each serving contains 1000 mg of ALA Omega-3 (62% of the recommended daily value).
    • NEW Colossal Keto (SRP:$6.99/10oz): A keto-friendly blend of good fats and low carbs with Diamond of California® Himalayan Pink Salt Walnuts, Sonoma Creamery® Parmesan Cheese Crisps, roasted edamame, roasted almonds, and roasted peanuts. Each serving contains 3g of net carbs, 7g of protein per serving, <1g of sugar, and 0g of added sugar. 
    • Mega Mountain (SRP:$6.99/13oz): Harmony’s original recipe, a classic sweet and savory trail mix blend reimagined with Diamond of California® Salted Dark Chocolate Walnuts, roasted peanuts, raisins, roasted almonds, and coated chocolate candies. Each serving contains 4g of plant-based protein and is a good source of ALA Omega-3.Harmony’s three trail mixes are now available online and are rolling out to stores nationwide, including Save Mart, Lucky, Shop Rite, and retail banners of Associated Wholesale Grocers. To learn more about Harmony® visit their website, follow along @harmony_snacks on Instagram, and visit Diamond Foods booth at Expo West (Hall A, #877)

      About Harmony®:

      It all began in 1969. Two surfing buddies in Santa Cruz, California were hungry, but didn’t want to miss the next big wave. So, they made a delicious portable snack that included nuts & dried fruit, creating the original Harmony® trail mix. Soon after, local friends and family were asking for the surfers’ snacks and the Harmony® brand was born. Today, Harmony’s tradition of tasty and nutritious snacks is still carried out in California, home to some of the world’s finest walnuts and almonds, to ensure that every Harmony® snack is crafted with the right blend of high-quality ingredients to fuel your next adventure!

  • Shaping the Future of California Walnuts Starts Now

    Robert Verloop

    Op-Ed by Robert Verloop, Executive Director and CEO, California Walnut Board/Commission — The California Walnut Board and Commission are asking for industry involvement through participation in elections and weighing in on the strategic planning process.

    The California walnut industry is facing some of its greatest challenges, from rising costs and a maturing market to global competition, the effects of drought/heatwave and a mounting list of obstacles. But I believe a brighter future is ahead — and it requires the involvement of growers and handlers of all types and sizes to lend their ideas, critical thinking power and time to advance the industry.

    As Executive Director and CEO, I’m committed to creating space for this to happen by fostering a culture of openness, inclusion, collaboration and transparency – and there are lots of ways to get involved. At the top of the list is board service.

    Board and Committee Service Provides Opportunity to Make Your Voice Heard

    Elected board members serve a critical role in guiding our industry, offering their unique knowledge and expertise, representing the interests of growers and handlers in their regions, and providing oversight and governance functions to the California Walnut Board and Commission.

    The nomination and election process for both the board and commission will soon be underway. We are looking for individuals who recognize the importance of board functions and are willing to put their “company” hats aside and think and act for the betterment of the industry overall. We are looking for people to not simply rubber stamp the decisions of the CEO or any one individual, but rather respectfully push themselves, each other and the industry to think big and challenge the status quo in order to advance. This means asking tough questions, engaging in respectful dialogue and not being afraid to move away from activities and practices that are not serving the industry well.

    If you are unable to serve as an elected board member, you may want to consider serving on a committee that aligns with your knowledge and interests. The California Walnut Board and Commission work through broad based committees and working groups, including marketing and market development; production research; health research; issues management; and grades and standards. Serving on these committees and working groups is a tremendous opportunity to learn more about the broader industry issues, including challenges and opportunities, and contribute to the development of the next phase for our industry.

    Getting involved with the board is especially important for young people, who represent the future of California walnuts. Many California walnut farmers are from multi-generational farm families that want to see their agricultural legacies live on – and your sons and daughters hold the ticket. Encourage them to get involved with the industry. Their viewpoints are critically important as the California walnut industry evolves and seeks to build affinity with younger consumers, many whose values, interests and purchasing habits are unique to their generation.

    And while board and committee service is formal and an ongoing way to get involved, it is not the only opportunity for engagement. In fact, the time is ripe (in fact it’s critical) to make your voices heard as part of our strategic planning process.

    Strategic Planning Will Set a New Course

    Recently we initiated a strategic planning process to help guide a new phase for our industry. Strategic planning is about asking ourselves: Where are we now as an industry? Where do we want to be in the future? How will we get there? And how will we know when we have arrived?

    To help answer these questions we are casting our net far and wide for input. We’ve spoken to many growers and handlers individually and will soon be hosting a series of roundtables throughout the state where industry members are invited to a facilitated dialogue designed to solicit input. We encourage you to take part in an electronic survey between now and March 31, 2023 at CaliforniaWalnutSurvey.org. We’re looking for candid and constructive input, and all ideas are welcome. We’ll be listening carefully so that your voice is heard and incorporated in the planning process.

    We’ve assembled a strategic planning task force whose members will roll up their sleeves and listen to all the input we receive before developing the key elements of the strategic plan. The task force has been chosen to represent the diversity of the industry, and consists of industry veterans as well as fresh voices. All task force members have expressed a shared desire for evolution and progressive thinking.

    The work of the task force will be reviewed and ultimately approved by the board and iterations of the plan will be shared during our open board meetings. Ultimately, the plan will be rolled out and socialized with industry who can again weigh in on the plan. Once complete, the plan will guide not only the work of the California Walnut Board and Commission, but also serve as a roadmap for the overall industry.

    Your input and support – whether in the form of board or committee service, part of the strategic planning process or via any other means – has never been more important. The California Walnut Board was created in 1948, and the California Walnut Commission was created in 1987. The world has changed significantly since the formation of these organizations, and we, like the industry, need to advance and adapt to the challenges we face, in order to thrive. While the challenges are numerous, so too are the opportunities and I am confident that by working together we can create great things including growing demand for California walnuts and creating a prosperous future for the industry. Read the full op-ed article from Robert Verloop in the March issue of Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

    Every two years the California Walnut Board (CWB) and California Walnut Commission (CWC), hold elections for board members to serve on the respective boards, beginning September 1 and seated at the 2023 Fall meeting. While the timing is similar (March – July), the process is slightly different for the two organizations. For a full explanation of the election process, qualifications and definitions please contact Dana Hull at dhull@walnuts.org.

  • Relief Programs Now Available to Walnut Growers

    In this video, Joshua Rahm from the California Walnut Commission shares details on some new and upcoming government programs to aid walnut growers amidst these difficult times — some of which growers can act on now.  So watch this video now and read more about it in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

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

  • State of the Walnut Industry & Future Prospects with Robert Verloop

    There is no question, the California walnut industry is navigating through some challenging times, but hope is on the horizon. Bringing a fresh perspective to the industry is Robert Verloop, the new CEO of the California Walnut Board & Commission.  Watch this brief interview based on his first State of the Walnut Industry address at the recent Tree & Vine Expo, and read more about it in the December issue of Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

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

  • Pacific Nut Producer November Issue

    PNP1122
    Pacific Nut Producer November Issue

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    Contents of the November Issue:

    Almond Industry Growth Stunted by Trade Issues
    How We Got Here & What to Expect in the Near Future
    The Irrigation Corner
    Cost-Saving Tips for Drip/Micro Irrigation Systems
    Study Reveals Pistachios are an Antioxidant Powerhouse
    Pistachios Rival Other Antioxidant-Containing Foods
    November Orchard Tasks
    Almonds, Hazelnuts, Pecans, Pistachios, Walnuts

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  • CA Walnut Board Federal Marketing Order Amendatory Referendum Takes Next Steps

    In August 2021, the California walnut industry initiated a process to modernize the (California Walnut Board) Federal Marketing Order rules governing grades, standards, inspections, and certifications.

    In April 2022, USDA conducted an open hearing in order to collect input from the CWB, growers, handlers, and public at large. Since the hearing, USDA conducted a thorough evaluation of the requested amendments and published the proposed rule on October 25, 2022, in the Federal Register.

    A 30-day comment period is provided to allow interested persons to respond to this proposal. All written exceptions received within the comment period will be considered, and a producer referendum will be conducted before any of these proposals are implemented.

    Summary from the Federal Register:

    This recommended decision proposes amendments to Marketing Order No. 984 (Order), which regulates the handling of walnuts grown in California. The proposed amendments are based on the record of a public hearing held via videoconference technology on April 19 and 20, 2022. The California Walnut Board (Board), which locally administers the Order, recommended proposed amendments that would eliminate mandatory inspection and certification of inshell and shelled walnuts, and of shelled walnuts for processing; create a new mechanism for determining and collecting handler assessments; add authority to charge interest for late payments; establish an assessment rate of $0.0125 per inshell pound of walnuts; expand the definition of “to handle” to include “receive”; and remove volume control authority. In addition, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) proposed to make any such changes to the Order as may be necessary to conform to any amendment that may result from the hearing.

    About the California Walnut Board

    The California Walnut Board (CWB) was established in 1948 to represent the walnut growers and handlers of California. The CWB is funded by mandatory assessments of the handlers. The CWB is governed by a Federal Walnut Marketing Order. The CWB promotes usage of walnuts in the United States through publicity and educational programs. The CWB also provides funding for walnut production, food safety and post-harvest research.

  • Walnut Bargaining Association Recommends Minimum Grower Price

    In an effort to keep walnut prices from tumbling further downward, the Walnut Bargaining Association (WBA) is recommending a minimum price recommendation that will return at least 65 cents per pound back to growers. This price is based on in-shell Chandlers, Jumbo/Large, average quality.

    “Our organization is concerned that walnut prices will continue to fall without some minimum price being suggested,” said Jonathan Field, Executive Director of the Walnut Bargaining Association (WBA), a grower cooperative that exists to ensure walnut farmers receive fair prices. “The WBA realizes there is ample carryover from 2021 which needs to be moved out prior to marketing new crop, but this should not be done at the expense of the current crop and production. We believe buyers are willing to pay more for walnuts and we’re urging handlers to move prices up from current levels.”

    According to Field, current prices being offered by handlers will result in only 45 or 50 cents per pound going back to growers, which is substantially below break-even. The 65 cents per pound minimum grower return recommended by the WBA, means handler trade prices need to immediately increase from current levels to cover handling costs and margins.

    Historically, handlers have published a minimum price for walnut exports in August. This didn’t happen in 2022 due to several unknowns surrounding the new crop and global supplies. The WBA will publish its official price recommendation for the 2022 crop after more is known about crop size and quality, worldwide production and the effect of the economy worldwide on prices, movement and utilization.

    “The WBA Board feels strongly the current California crop will come in lighter than expected,” said Todd Ramos, a walnut grower from Winters who is chairman of the WBA. “As walnut harvest continues throughout the state, growers are reporting less volume and more damage from the excessive heat than what was expected before the announcement of the 2022 crop estimate. These factors will reduce overall tonnage.”

    “California walnut farmers are struggling with record inflation of production costs and severely depressed prices which make it impossible to be profitable,” continued Ramos.  “The industry needs every handler to adhere to the minimum price point recommended by the WBA.”

    The WBA is urging growers and handlers to work together to stabilize the market as much as possible. They suggest that payment schedules, advances, timing of payments and all mutually beneficial discussions take place as soon as possible.

    The WBA recently launched a campaign to raise awareness about the benefits it provides to walnut growers by sharing information on prices walnut farmers receive from their handlers.

    “The WBA collects only verifiable information on grower price,” said Field, “That’s why the pricing information collected by the WBA is considered the most accurate data available. It’s definitely more reliable than what growers hear at the coffee shop.”

    The WBA hopes to gain new members so that they can collect even more accurate data.

    “When additional walnut growers join the WBA, our grower pricing data becomes increasingly comprehensive and the better the WBA can help us get the highest price for our walnuts,” said Ramos.  “The WBA understands by uniting together cooperatively with our handlers and marketers, we all stand the best chance for success.”

    More information about the WBA can be found on their website.  Growers interested in receiving sample reports and information from the WBA can sign up here.