California kiwifruit growers and handlers will see a lower assessment rate under a new proposal from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The proposal follows a recommendation from the California Kiwifruit Administrative Committee to decrease the assessment rate established for the 2018-2019 and subsequent fiscal periods from $0.040 to $0.025 per 9-kilo volume-fill container or equivalent of kiwifruit handled.
The committee met July 19 and made the unanimous recommendation for the assessment rate decrease, with projected expenditures of $119,000 for 2018-19.
The proposal said last year’s budget was $114,383. The committee, according to the proposal, currently has a cash reserve of approximately $52,056. The proposed decreased assessment rate, plus the cash reserve are sufficient to fund the 2018-2019 budgeted expenses, according to the proposal.
Kiwifruit shipments for the 2018-2019 season are estimated at 4.207 million 9-kilo volume-fill containers, which should provide $105,177 in assessment income.
The proposal said there are approximately 140 producers of kiwifruit in the production area and approximately 20 handlers subject to regulation under the order, according to the order.
