Latest News From China

Zespri opens global hub in Singapore with fanfare
Zespri opens global hub in Singapore with fanfare

“Our Centre of Sales and Marketing Excellence is the gateway to all of our major markets ... and it was brilliant we could have our growers join us for this important event,” said Zespri CEO Dan Mathieson.

U.S. Could Run Out of Money by Thursday if the Debt Limit Isn't Lifted
U.S. Could Run Out of Money by Thursday if the Debt Limit Isn't Lifted

If the nation’s debt hits $31.4 trillion—it’s on track to do so by this Thurs.—the Treasury will need to take “extraordinary measures” to help pay the government's operations and ward off a historic default.

Copefrut and Verfrut partner to advance sales in China
Copefrut and Verfrut partner to advance sales in China

Two large Chilean-based fruit exporters are combining efforts to maximize sales in China.

IMF Anticipates Global Inflation Will Peak in Late 2022
IMF Anticipates Global Inflation Will Peak in Late 2022

Global inflation will likely decrease to 6.5% in 2023 and to 4.1% by 2024, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecast.

Shipping Container Rates Down 63%, But We're a Long Way From Back to Normal Operations
Shipping Container Rates Down 63%, But We're a Long Way From Back to Normal Operations

Have the Pacific Coast port bottleneck issues been resolved, or moved somewhere else? The East Coast may now be carrying the burden.

John Phipps: Are Tariffs Part Of The Problem With Inflation?
John Phipps: Are Tariffs Part Of The Problem With Inflation?

Do tariffs fuel inflation? John Phipps's Customer Support segment explains why economists have struggled to come up with estimates of economic effects due to lingering COVID influence on world business.

John Phipps: China's Zero-Covid Policy Isn't New, It Actually Has a Gruesome Precedent
John Phipps: China's Zero-Covid Policy Isn't New, It Actually Has a Gruesome Precedent

The zero-Covid strategy by the Chinese government is slowing their economy. In a rare admission, officials have lowered their GDP growth estimate, almost totally based on cities that aren’t working, especially ports.

Can China's Economic Stats Be Trusted?
Can China's Economic Stats Be Trusted?

Shanghai offered some tax rebates for companies and allowed all manufacturers to resume operations from June as authorities rolled out policies to revitalize an economy impacted by Covid-19 lockdowns.

Who Actually Won the U.S., China Trade War?
Who Actually Won the U.S., China Trade War?

The U.S.-China trade war began in July 2018 when the Trump administration imposed tariffs on $550 billion worth of Chinese goods. Nearly four years later, the debate remains as to which country actually won.

5 Transformations Happening in China That Will Affect Your Farm
5 Transformations Happening in China That Will Affect Your Farm

China contains the largest population of any country in the world. All those mouths drive demand across the globe and for your farm’s products.

Will The USDA Pop-Up Site Solve The Clogged Ports Issue?
Will The USDA Pop-Up Site Solve The Clogged Ports Issue?

Rep. Garamendi says the USDA partnership with the Port of Oakland “isn’t going to solve the problem” because shippers deliver product to the U.S. and leave ports with empty containers.

U.S. trade relationship with China remains challenged
U.S. trade relationship with China remains challenged

The playing field for U.S. fruit growers and other businesses exporting to China remains titled against them, President Biden believes.

USHBC and Pagoda celebrate the arrival of U.S. fresh blueberries in China
USHBC and Pagoda celebrate the arrival of U.S. fresh blueberries in China

After years of hard work and bilateral negotiation, consumers in China can finally enjoy fresh blueberries from the United States—the birthplace of modern blueberry cultivation.

Rows of tomato seedlings are monitored in an experimental greenhouse at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences.
Modern farming — Coronavirus outbreak spurs high-tech greenhouse boom in China

When China first started imposing lockdowns on major cities to curb the spread of COVID-19, supply chains for food produce were disrupted, leading to shortages, crop spoilage and food security concerns.

Mission Produce and Mr. Avocado send the first shipment of California avocados to China
Mission Produce and Mr. Avocado send the first shipment of California avocados to China

Oxnard, Calif.-based Mission Produce, Inc., has partnered with China avocado brand Mr. Avocado for the first-ever shipment of avocados to China from California. 

USDA: China orange import demand still lagging

China’s appetite for imported oranges in 2021 will improve slightly with economic growth, but a new report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture predicts demand will remain well below pre-COVID levels.

Legislation introduced to ban Chinese citrus imports
Legislation introduced to ban Chinese citrus imports

Legislation has been introduced in the U.S. House to prohibit imports of fresh citrus from China.

China demands COVID-19 declaration on U.S. exports
China demands COVID-19 declaration on U.S. exports

Chinese customs officials are demanding U.S. ag exporters sign a form guaranteeing their exports are free from COVID-19, trade and government reports say. 

China running behind on promised imports of U.S. goods

China is running well behind on its promised purchases of U.S. goods and services in the first quarter of 2020, raising trade tensions between the two countries.

Tom Karst
Feel the chill: U.S. and China can’t get past trade tensions

Are the U.S. and China headed for a “cold war”? 

U.S. blueberries, avocados gain access to China

U.S. blueberries grown in 11 states and California avocados now have access to the Chinese market as a result of the U.S.-China Phase One Economic and Trade Agreement.

International Fruit Genetics fights illegal practices in China
International Fruit Genetics fights illegal practices in China

Table grape breeder International Fruit Genetics, Bakersfield, Calif., is taking steps to protect its proprietary varieties from intellectual property theft in China.

Judge rules Chinese company infringed on Zespri kiwifruit

A judge has ruled that New Zealand kiwifruit company Zespri’s claims that a Chinese company illegally propagated its fruit is valid.

Virus delays California Prune Board trip to China
Virus delays California Prune Board trip to China

The California Prune Board, Roseville, is postponing a trip to China because of the coronavirus, but says exporters are committed to the market and will reschedule its visit when possible.

China’s tariff cuts include fruits, nuts

China is cutting in half tariffs on U.S. fruit and other goods imposed in September and December last year, but leaving in place heftier tariffs imposed in 2018.

Promising trade gains, U.S. signs phase one trade agreement with China

The phase one trade agreement signed by the U.S. and China Jan. 15 will deliver potential trade gains for U.S. growers of potatoes, blueberries, avocados, and other crops.

China deal offers no immediate breakthrough for U.S. fruit exports

The U.S. and China will sign what is being called a “phase one” trade deal by mid-January.

Fresh fruits exports lag under weight of tariffs
Fresh fruits exports lag under weight of tariffs

Retaliatory trade tariffs continue to hurt U.S. fruit exports.

U.S., China reach ‘phase one’ of trade deal
U.S., China reach ‘phase one’ of trade deal

Buoying stock prices and industry hopes on Oct. 11, China and the U.S. have agreed to what President Trump called a “very substantial phase-one deal” to take heat out of the trade war that began last year.

T&G Global expands Orchard Rd brand in Asia

Hoping to bring the same excitement to the grape category as it did to apples with Jazz and Envy, T&G Global is moving into grapes with its Orchard Rd brand.

Apple group: No time to waste in repairing trade with China

With overall U.S. apple exports down 27% in the 2018-19 season, growers are bracing for a 10% increase on apples to China.

California Giant strawberries available at first Costco in China
California Giant strawberries available at first Costco in China

When China’s first Costco opened Aug. 27, California Giant strawberries were on display.

China adds to fruit tariffs

The hits keep on coming for U.S. fruit exporters.

U.S. Agricultural Trade Under Secretary Ted McKinney spoke to the U.S. Apple Association's Marketing and Outlook Conference Aug. 23.
Rocky trade backdrop greets McKinney speech at U.S. Apple meeting

With the apple industry racked by trade troubles, U.S. Agricultural Trade Under Secretary Ted McKinney had a tough audience when he spoke Aug. 23 at the U.S. Apple Association Marketing and Outlook Conference.

UPDATED: USTR delays some tariffs on Chinese goods
UPDATED: USTR delays some tariffs on Chinese goods

(UPDATED, Aug. 14) Sparking a 400-point rally in the Dow Jones Industrial Average, the United States Trade Representative said Aug. 13 the U.S. will delay tariffs on some imports from China until Dec. 15.

U.S. and China up the ante again in trade war

To the profound disappointment of U.S. fruit exporters, the tit-for-tat trade war with China shows no signs of ending soon.

China: no more purchases of  U.S. agricultural products

China said Aug. 5 it would no longer buy U.S. farm commodities, signaling another escalation in a more than year-long trade battle with the U.S.

President Trump slaps Chinese imports with another tariff

Unhappy with the progress of trade talks with China, President Trump will slap a 10% tariff on $300 billion worth of goods from China starting Sept. 1. 

USDA lays out plan for growers hit by tariffs, trade barriers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture plans to purchase up to $236.6 million of fresh fruits and vegetables through one of three programs designed to help growers affected by tariffs and trade barriers.

Produce groups receive $ millions to offset tariffs, trade barriers

The USDA named 49 recipients of Agricultural Trade Promotion funds — designed to spur new export markets for growers hurt by tariffs and other trade disruptions — including 11 produce industry groups.

China retaliates with tariff hikes on frozen fruits and vegetables

China’s latest round of tariff retaliation hit frozen fruits and vegetables but appeared to spare additional hikes on imported U.S. fresh produce.

New round of tariffs on fruit, vegetables from China
New round of tariffs on fruit, vegetables from China

The U.S. slapped 25% tariffs on a number of fruit and vegetable imports from China, from cauliflower to garlic and certain berries.

China’s retaliatory tariffs continue to take a toll 

Unrelenting trade friction with China will likely cost U.S. fruit growers export sales again in 2019.

Avocado industry hopeful for access to China
Avocado industry hopeful for access to China

The Irvine-based California Avocado Commission is hopeful that its 14-year effort to gain access to the Chinese market soon may pay off.

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Keeling stresses importance of potato trade gains
Keeling stresses importance of potato trade gains

DENVER — With his end-of-July retirement date rapidly approaching, John Keeling appeared at the 2019 Potatoes Annual Meeting for the last time as executive vice president and CEO of the National Potato Council.

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Legislators ask for China trade talks to include fresh potatoes

A group of 14 U.S. senators and 25 members of Congress are urging the Trump administration to include fresh potatoes in trade talks with China.

USDA awards trade promotion funds to fight tariffs

About two dozen fresh produce and nut companies are recipients of funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s $200 million Agricultural Trade Promotion Program, to alleviate the effects of tariffs on exports.

Progress, barriers examined by USDA trade leader
Progress, barriers examined by USDA trade leader

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Defending the administration’s trade agenda but warning friction with China may not end soon, a trade official said the administration is hopeful Canada will approve an updated trade agreement.

Packer Insight — China tariffs and avocados for Cinco de Mayo
Packer Insight — China tariffs and avocados for Cinco de Mayo

Tom Karst and Ashley Nickle discuss the subjects on which they have been reporting this week, with Tom diving deep on the China tariffs and Ashley gathering insight on avocados leading up to Cinco de Mayo.

U.S. exporters react to the tariffs imposed on April 2.
What do Chinese tariffs mean to U.S. fruit exporters?

As anticipated tariffs on U.S. fruit and nuts shipped to China became reality on April 2, financial markets reacted, as did fresh produce industry groups representing the affected export crops.