Press Releases
CALIFORNIA TREE FRUIT AGGREEMENT TAKES PART IN GOVERNOR SCHWARZENEGGER'S TRADE MISSION TO CANADA
5/16/2007
Contact: Kim Bedwell
Fleishman-Hillard
916-492-5335
kim.bedwell@fleishman.com
CALIFORNIA TREE FRUIT AGGREEMENT TAKES PART IN GOVERNOR SCHWARZENEGGER'S TRADE MISSION TO CANADA
(May 16, 2007-Reedley, Calif.) The California Tree Fruit Agreement (CTFA) announced today that Sheri Mierau, CTFA president, will accompany Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on his trade mission to Canada May 29-31.
While in Canada, Mierau will join other agricultural representatives in promoting California agriculture in Canada, which has been the number one trading partner for the California peach, plum and nectarine (PPN) industry for more than twenty years. Canada accounts for over half of the total PPN exports and approximately 10 percent of total annual packout.
"We are excited about this opportunity because of the importance of the Canadian market to our industry," said Mierau. "We are also proud to support our governor in his endeavors to expand and enhance the opportunities for California agriculture."
Approximately five million packages of PPN are shipped from California to Canada each year from early May until late October, with nearly 50 percent shipped to Ontario and 15 percent to British Columbia.
"California leads the world in the range of peach, plum and nectarine varieties, cultural practices and environmental stewardship," said Gordon Smith, manager of international marketing programs for CTFA. "We remain committed to continued trade opportunities that provide the Canadian market with our great-tasting fruit."
In the coming year, CTFA will continue to allocate resources to the marketing of California peaches, plums and nectarines to consumers in Canada. The value of PPN exports to Canada averages more than $75 million annually.
The California Tree Fruit Agreement (CTFA), headquartered in Reedley, Calif., administers marketing order programs on behalf of California's 2,000 fresh peach, plum and nectarine growers. The CTFA also includes the PPN Network, a strategic marketing resource for the peach, plum and nectarine industry. The PPN Network delivers information and marketing expertise to growers, shippers, retailers, and serves as a resource for the media.