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World Citrus News
There's so much gloom about the fate of citrus in Florida and California, but in spite of that talk, world citrus production is increasing.
Global orange production for 2018/19 is forecast to expand 4.2 million tons from the previous year to 51.8 million as favorable weather leads to larger crops in Brazil and the United States. Consequently, fruit for both fresh and processing uses is expected to be greater. Fresh exports are forecast 4 percent higher to 5.1 million tons.
Brazil's production is forecast to rise 13 percent to 17.8 million tons as favorable weather is expected to result in good bloom and fruit set. Fresh orange consumption and exports are flat while oranges for processing are up 2.0 million tons to 12.8 million.
China's production is projected down slightly to 7.2 million on unfavorable weather, resulting in a smaller crop in Jiangxi province. Along with only a small increase in imports, consumption is
lower on overall reduced supplies. South Africa and Egypt are the top two suppliers, accounting for 60 percent of imports.
U.S. production is forecast to recover, jumping 41 percent to 5.0 million tons due to favorable weather. Orange production in Florida has been declining for years due to citrus greening, which has decimated groves and increased costs for crop maintenance.
However, last year, the industry also suffered from damages caused by Hurricane Irma. This year's higher forecast shows a recovery to recent-year levels. Exports, consumption, and fruit for processing are all higher with the larger crop.
Read more about the world citrus industry and get individual country reports generated by the USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service
https://agfstorage.blob.core.windows.net/misc/FP_com/2019/03/04/Florr.pdf
FAS Reports from Overseas Offices The Citrus: World Markets and Trade circular is based on reports from FAS Overseas Posts since December 2018 and on available secondary information. Individual country reports can be obtained on FAS Online at: http://gain.fas.usda.gov/Pages/Default.aspx .
citrus cornucopia
Ag labor management seminars offer keys to success in times of labor uncertainty
UC Cooperative Extension will hold workshops in Temecula Feb. 1 and 2 to help California agricultural employers facing many challenges including labor shortages, wage & hour laws, joint liability, worker safety, workers comp insurance, and immigration issues and policies.
“Agricultural employers and managers are better prepared to face uncertainty in labor markets with up-to-date information and strategies for dealing with people management, and legal and regulatory issues,” said Ramiro Lobo, UC Cooperative Extension farm advisor in San Diego County and workshop organizer. Additional program partners are the California Farm Labor Contractor Association, Zenith Insurance Company and Wilson Creek Winery and Vineyards.
“Management and Supervision of Personnel for Agricultural Operations,” will be offered in Spanish on Feb. 2. The program, intended for agricultural employers/managers and first-line supervisors, provides information on effective supervision and management in times of labor shortage, updates on labor laws and regulations, positive and clear communications, and preventing sexual harassment and bullying.
“Properly managing personnel is critical because of the scarcity of labor,” Lobo said. “We will provide strategies to retain employees by making the workplace more attractive.”
Advance registration is available with a credit card at http://ucanr.edu/2017aglaborseminar. Registration for the Feb. 1 workshop is $80 per person before Jan. 20, and $100 after or at the door, if space allows. Registration for the Feb. 2 workshop is $60 per person before Jan. 20, and $80 after or at the door, if space allows. A registration discount is available for participants to attend both events. For both events, registration is $120 before Jan. 20, and $140 after or at the door, if space allows.
For more information visit the event website at http://ucanr.edu/2017farmlaborseminar
7:00 am Registration and Continental Breakfast
7:50 am Welcome, Introductions, Acknowledgments, and Overview
8:00 am A Review of Labor Management Issues in Southern California – Panel Discussion
Mike Mellano, Mellano and Company ? Greg Pennyroyal, Wilson Creek Winery & Winery ? Eric Larson, San Diego County Farm Bureau
9:00 am Wage & Hour, Labor Laws Update: Tony Raimondo, Raimondo & Associates
10:00 am BREAK
10:30 am Managing Joint Liability under AB 1897 - Bryan Little, California Farm Bureau Federation, Farm Employer Labor Service
11:15 am The Basics for Legal and Effective Hiring & Orientation for Agricultural Labor - Lupe Sandoval - California Farm Labor Contractor Association
12:00 noon LUNCH
1:00 pm Effective Management of Work Injuries - Chris Boehme, Zenith Insurance Company
1:45 pm Keeping Workers Safe, and Cal OSHA Happy - Bill Krycia, Cal OSHA
2:30 pm BREAK
2:45 pm Selection and Development of Front-Line Supervisors - Lupe Sandoval, California Farm Labor Contractor Association
3:30 pm The H2A Visa Program & What You Need to Know - Jeanne M. Malitz, Malitz Law, Inc.
4:15 pm Labor Shortages – Assorted Strategies – Jeanne Malitz, Malitz Law, Inc., Lupe Sandoval, California Farm Labor Contractor Association and Ramiro Lobo, UCCE San Diego County
5:00 pm Conference Evaluation, Adjourn to Optional Wine Tasting hosted by Wilson Creek Winery and Vineyards!!
2017 FarmLaborSeminar Agenda
Just a Little Venting
Why eat terrible fruit when you can eat wonderful California fruit, or should be able to? All too often fruit which is shipped for several weeks from far off groves arrives distressed and put into cold storage here and then this is mishandled at the retailer. What the consumer ends up with is postharvest damage. Fruit that has been held too long in cold storage at the wrong temperature and you get fruit like that pictured below. Barely edible if you eat around the black stuff.
In January, I bought a bag of 4 fruit from the local store. When it had ripened, I cut open all 4 fruit and saw cold damage. I took them back to the store and they gave me another bag. When ripe, I cut them open and found the same damage. Took them back and they gave me another bag. Same thing. Took them back and asked for my money back. The produce manager said I was the only one to complain. It's a good store to back their product, but I wonder if they ever complained to their supplier. And what about the other buyers?
California can grow great fruit year-round. Some of it could be the old 'Fuerte' which is a great eating winter fruit or a 'Reed' or 'Nabal' in the summer. And some people just really like 'Zutano' or 'Bacon'. We all don't like the same taste. Add some variety to life. I was reminded of this the other day when I went to look at a recently planted 'Reed' orchard. When asked why, the grower said she loved the fruit and had a buyer for all her fruit. That's what it takes when you don't grow 'Hass', finding the market for some of these unusual varieties. Or find a packer that will take a chance on your fruit.
There's been a call for a long time on the part of growers to sell their greenskins, but the consumer needs to be taught what a good piece of fruit taste like at the right time of year. There have been lots of advocates for variety for a long time, and now that consumers have turned into 'foodies' it's time to feed them. They don't want to go to the store and buy a bad piece of fruit. And then throw it out. Instead they should go back to the store and demand a good piece of fruit.
End of rant.
avocado cold damage 1
avocado cold damage 2
Learn About New Produce Marketing Channels in Los Angeles
Meet the Buyer: An L.A. Produce Market Tour for Los Angeles Growers and Food Advocates
Do you want to find new channels for selling your produce and make connections with produce buyers? Join us on a one day tour of produce distributors in the L.A. area where you will meet with senior buyers and leaders at these distribution companies committed to building their local base of suppliers:
Santa Monica Farmers' Market - our early start will allow for a special behind-the-scenes market tour to learn about the vibrant business-to-business transactions occuring there every week.
Space Exploration Technologies - meet the culinary team feeding the folks at the frontier of space exploration seasonally-inspired menus, much of it sourced from farms nearby.
Whole Food Distribution Center - talk with buyers committed to small, local and organic producers at the new state-of-the-art distribution facility and enjoy a yummy lunch.
Heath & Lejeune - learn the art of distributing orgranic produce from a seasoned buyer / seller.
These high-level buyers are positioned to appreciate your farm and products—whether organic, local, family-owned, sustainably grown, or high quality specialty crops. You'll gain an understanding of what it takes to work with them, have a chance to network with other farmers, and learn tips on how to tell a compelling story about your farm and its products that will expand your sales opportunities. This tour will be valuable for ANY farmer who wants to learn more about different distribution channels for their products, as well as for healthy food advocates and policy makers who want to have a better understanding of what small farms need to do in order to connect with willing buyers.
Space is limited; advance registration is required. Please reserve your space by December 4th, 2015. Lunch and snacks will be provided. There is no charge for this tour thanks to our generous sponsors.
Sign up at:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/meet-the-buyer-an-la-produce-market-tour-for-los-angeles-growers-and-food-advocates-tickets-19216471985
farmers market
