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Comments about California agricultural export trade

Walnuts withstand heat

Walnut farmers have prepared their trees for hot weather. Walnuts can become sunburned during hot spells so many farmers apply a white organic material to reflect sunlight and keep the developing walnuts cooler. Growers are optimistic walnut sunburn will be minimal this year, as thus far nights have been cool, allowing the walnuts to recover from the heat of the day. There has been some loss to walnut blight as a result of late rain, but overall farmers expect a good crop of walnuts this fall.

Farm exports rebound

Exports of California farm products have risen each month so far this year. A trade analyst predicts the trend will continue, though perhaps at a slower pace. The increased trade helps not just farmers, but also marketers, truck drivers, dock workers and others whose jobs are tied to farm exports. China and India have increased purchases of California farm goods and Middle Eastern countries have been buying more hay.

Overseas wine sales improve

California wine exports have also increased during the first five months of the year, according to Gomberg Fredrikson and Associates, a wine industry consulting firm. By volume, exports are up 17 percent and by value, up 25 percent. Improving economies are one reason for the increase. Hong Kong and China combined now represent the third largest customer for California wine. Consumers there like California wine quality, and Hong Kong has eliminated wine duties.

Pomegranate harvest nears

Pomegranate trees bloom later than most other fruit trees, and the Wonderful variety is now in bloom in the Southern San Joaquin Valley. At the same time, early varieties are quickly nearing maturity. Harvest of the early pomegranates is expected to start in a couple weeks so that consumers can expect to find fresh, California-grown pomegranates in retail outlets the first week of August. California leads the nation in pomegranate production.

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