Pacific Nut Producer Magazine

Tag: Retaliatory Tariffs

  • Economist Shares How California Farmers Should Respond to Economic Uncertainty

    Economic uncertainty can be quite unsettling and can make important business and investment decisions difficult to navigate. Inflating costs, threatening tariffs and a volatile stock market are very concerning, especially in a state like California. World-renowned economist and financial expert Marci Rossell met with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network following a presentation she delivered to a group of American Pistachio Growers to address these concerns as they relate specifically to California farmers, whose success rely quite heavily on a healthy export market. Watch this brief interview to learn more.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor SQM Specialty Plant Nutrition for their industry support.

  • India Imposed Retaliatory Tariffs to Include Walnuts

    California Walnut Board: We recently received final clarification that the Indian government announcement regarding implementation of the 20% retaliatory tariff that went into effect Sunday, June 16, does, in fact, include walnuts. Please let us know whether or not you have shipments currently in transit as the US Embassy in India wants to be aware of the magnitude of the tariff change on goods that left the United States under the belief of a lower tariff rate. Imposed Retaliatory Tariffs

    Effective Sunday June 16, 2019, tariff rates increased to 120% for in shell and 30.9% for shelled walnuts from the U.S. only.

    We have been in direct contact with the Agricultural Affairs Office of the USDA in the US Embassy in India as well as the United States Trade Representative (USTR) on this matter. Tariff issues remain a top priority for the California Walnut Commission (CWC). The CWC remains engaged with United States Trade Representative (USTR), USDA (FAS and AMS), APHIS, Congressional Representatives and our consultants/agencies to ensure our concerns are heard by the Administration officials in advocating on the industry’s behalf regarding the many tariff issue as well as non-tariff barriers facing the industry.

  • Almond Board of CA Explores Options for Exporting Almond Biomass

    With all the new almond acreage coming into production, that means more almond hulls and shells to find a home for.  So what are some economical options?  Watch this brief interview with Julie Adams from the Almond Board of California to discuss options for exporting these coproducts overseas.  Read more about it in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

  • USDA to Support California Almond Industry

    Growers have until the end of day Feb. 14th to sign up for the USDA market facilitation program created in response to the retaliatory tariffs.  USDA is also supporting the California almond industry in other ways. Watch this brief interview with Julie Adams from the Almond Board of California for more information.

    Enjoy our Ag video news?  Be sure to let our sponsor Duarte Nursery know & thank them for their industry support!

  • US Trade Mitigation Package Direct Payments for Almonds

    The Almond Alliance of California appreciates the efforts by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to establish the procedures required to provide direct payments to almond growers to help offset some of the damage being incurred due to the retaliatory tariffs imposed by China and Turkey. As announced today by Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, growers of California almonds are now eligible to apply for direct payments of $.03 per pound as part of the $12 billion mitigation package announced earlier this month. The damage assessment figure assigned to almonds is $63.3 million.
    The announcement is a result of the industry coming together and advocating through the Almond Alliance of California (AAC). Elaine Trevino, President/CEO of AAC said “Industry members should be proud that through a unified effort they were able to have their voices heard and be acknowledged for their contribution to the national economy, along with the significant role they play in the international market place.”
    The almond industry has been significantly impacted by retaliatory tariffs and the inclusion of the commodity in the USDA trade mitigation package is a result of a vocal industry and the support and hard work of California’s congressional delegation. Trevino noted, “The direct payment program reflects the hard work of Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Chairman Jeff Denham who led the congressional effort including Congressmen Costa, Valadao, Nunes, LaMalfa, Pannetta and Senators Harris and Feinstein. Their combined efforts and leadership helped ensure that the California almond industry received direct payments within the specific program guidelines. We are thankful that our congressional delegation worked hard for our industry and acknowledged the importance of almonds to the California and U.S. economy.”
    Producers of almonds can sign up for the Market Facilitation Program (MFP), which is a direct payment program for eligible almond growers who have been directly impacted by retaliatory tariffs, resulting in significant export losses. The MFP is established under the statutory authority of the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) Charter Act and is under the administration of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA). There are specific eligibility requirements that must be met by an applicant and the maximum payment per applicant is $125,000. Eligible almond growers may apply for MFP September 24, 2018 through January 15, 2019.
    Almonds are one of California’s top three valued commodities and the leading agricultural export.  The California almond industry exports 67% of what it produces.  With exports of nearly $4.5 billion in 2017, the California almond industry contributes significantly to the longstanding trade surplus generated by American agriculture. While the mitigation initiatives are helpful, they will not begin to approach the anticipated economic losses and long-term impact these retaliatory tariffs will have on the industry’s trade relationships and the considerable investments made over the years to create market demand in China and Turkey. Trevino pointed out, “We remain hopeful for a quick resolution to the broader trade disputes with these trading partners to ensure open and fair trade so consumers around the globe can continue to enjoy California almonds.”
    For more Information:
    For more information about the MFP program, visit www.farmers.gov/MFP or contact your local FSA office. To find your local FSA office, visit www.farmers.gov.
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    About the Almond Alliance of California
    The Almond Alliance of California (AAC) is a trusted non-profit organization with a mission of advocating on behalf of the Almond industry in California. AAC actively advocates for the positions of almond growers, hullers, shellers, handers and processors, while educating the industry about upcoming and existing regulatory changes.  Through workshops, newsletters, conferences and meetings, AAC serves as a clearing house of information that informs the almond industry and continues to position the industry as an agricultural leader in the state.