Press Releases
CTFA Holds Informational Meeting on Shipping Plums to China
2/9/2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 9, 2006 contact: Blair Richardson
Reedley, CA phone: (559) 638-8260
CTFA Holds Informational Meeting on Shipping Plums to China
Now that the Chinese borders have been opened for import of plums from five California counties, the California plum industry must begin preparing to ship the fruit to its newest market.
"As is always the case in shipping fruit to a foreign country, there is a specific protocol to be followed when products are exported," said Blair Richardson, President of the California Tree Fruit Agreement. "We are encouraging all interested industry members to join us for an important informational meeting on shipping plums to China."
The meeting is to be held February 21 at 2:00 p.m. at the office of the California Tree Fruit Agreement, 975 I Street in Reedley, CA. Industry members who attend the event will hear a presentation on the tremendous opportunities the Chinese market offers for California tree fruit and learn some very important information on the specific protocol that must be followed in order to ship plums to this market.
After more than a decade of working to open China, the California tree fruit industry received confirmation on December 16, 2005 that China signed the official agreement to accept imports of California plums from Fresno, Tulare, Kern, Kings and Madera counties.
"The California Tree Fruit Agreement staff is very excited about the industry's recent success in opening the Chinese market to fresh plums," said Richardson. "Although there is still work to be done in gaining access to China for all California counties, this is a very important step in achieving our industry's goal to expand worldwide demand for California peaches, plums and nectarines."
Attending the February 21 meeting, is the first step for those interested in shipping plums to this new market. Marketing firms who plan to ship plums to China must register their company as well as provide a list of all growers, with lot identification numbers, who will be producing fruit for this market.
Representatives from the California Department of Food and Agriculture and USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service will be on hand during the February 21 meeting to explain details of the required protocol. In addition, Walt Bentley from University of California's Kearney Agriculture Center will provide information on what growers need to do to meet the IPM requirements contained in the protocol.
CTFA is also sponsoring a reception during the upcoming AsiaFruit Congress in Beijing to be held April 9 and is encouraging industry members to attend.
For more information on the February 21 meeting, the AsiaFruit Congress or for copies of the forms to be used in registering to ship plums to China, please contact International Programs Coordinator Gordon Smith at the California Tree Fruit Agreement by calling (559 638-8260.
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