Planting Seeds - Food & Farming News from CDFA

Category Archives: Trade


Secretary Ross meets with US Trade Representative’s chief agricultural negotiator

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross met today in Sacramento with the US Trade Representative’s chief agricultural negotiator, Doug McKalip. The discussion centered on international trade opportunities for California’s farmers and ranchers. California is the nation’s leading agricultural exporter, with more than … Continue reading

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CDFA Secretary Karen Ross discusses climate smart, resilient and regenerative food systems with New Zealand’s Minister of Agriculture

On Tuesday, CDFA Secretary Karen Ross and State Board of Food and Agriculture President Don Cameron met with New Zealand Minister of Agriculture Damien O’Connor to discuss a variety of agricultural issues related to climate and trade. The meeting also … Continue reading

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USDA announcement for Commodity Container Assistance Program includes Port of Oakland

From a USDA news release USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will begin accepting applications for the Commodity Container Assistance Program (CCAP), which currently includes a partnership with the Port of Oakland and the … Continue reading

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CDFA helps ensure that California cherries meet industry standards and consumer expectations

Did you know that CDFA’s Shipping Point Inspection Program conducts cherry inspections at packing houses to help ensure that California cherries meet state and national standards? Packing houses are hard at work this month to get freshly-picked California cherries to … Continue reading

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CDFA partners with community colleges to launch export training program

CDFA is partnering with the State Center Community College District and the Fresno Center for International Trade Development to launch an export training program for California food and agriculture companies. This training program, focusing on new-to-export agricultural businesses, will help … Continue reading

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Secretary Ross meets with Vietnamese Vice Minister of Agriculture

This afternoon CDFA Secretary Karen Ross met with a Vietnamese Delegation of government and business leaders led by Vice Minister Le Quoc Doanh of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. This meeting served as an opportunity to strengthen the … Continue reading

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International Flavor at World Ag Expo 2020

More than a dozen countries are represented in this year’s World Ag Expo in Tulare, California. The three-day event that runs from February 11 – 13 draws thousands of visitors from all reaches of the state and from throughout the … Continue reading

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Secretary Ross in Mexico: Climate, Trade and Collaboration

It’s an honor to join Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis on California’s Trade Mission to Mexico. As the state’s largest trading partner and fifth largest agricultural export destination, Mexico is a key international partner for California. Over the last two days, … Continue reading

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New tariffs from China pressure farm exports – from Ag Alert

By Ching Lee  In the escalating trade conflict between the U.S. and China, more California agricultural products now face new retaliatory tariffs in one of their export markets. China has implemented a new round of tariffs on $60 billion worth … Continue reading

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CDFA Secretary Karen Ross meets with Canadian Minister of Agriculture Lawrence MacAulay

Today, Secretary Ross met with Minister Lawrence MacAulay,  Canadian Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, reaffirming the strong and collaborative trade relationship between the two governments. Canada is California’s second largest export destination for agriculture products, valued at more than $3.4 billion. … Continue reading

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