Recent retaliatory tariffs have impacted global almond markets and introduced uncertainties around trade, making headlines in California, across the U.S. and around the globe.
Weighing in on the issue and representing the interests of the almond industry, the Almond Board of California (ABC) is speaking with media and bringing forward the industry perspective.
Prominent media organizations, including The Wall Street Journal, CNN, Reuters, Politico, CNBC, The Business Journal, The Sacramento Bee, The San Francisco Chronicle and more, are hearing from almond industry representatives speaking to the issues on trade. Among them are Richard Waycott, ABC president and CEO, Julie Adams, ABC vice president of Global Technical, Regulatory & Government Affairs, Holly King, ABC chair of the Board, and growers around the Central Valley.
“We’ve worked hard to position the Almond Board as a responsive, transparent and knowledgeable resource to media and others outside of our industry,” said Waycott. “This position is serving us well as the media seeks our input on the tariff issue. We’re leveraging these opportunities to tell a bigger story about the contributions of our industry to agriculture in California and the United States.”
In multiple interviews reaching millions of consumers and stakeholders, the Almond Board has addressed the impact of changes to trade regulations, how tariffs are affecting past and future almond shipments, and the importance of the almond industry to the California economy and job market.
Throughout, the message to preserve the strength of the California almond industry has remained at the forefront.
“The majority of the industry’s assessment dollars has been invested to develop trade and consumer demand in these markets for many years,” Waycott said. “We are working very hard to maintain California almonds’ favorable position in this uncertain trade environment.”
The efforts from ABC protect not only interests abroad, but Californians at home. As part of interviews about the tariffs, ABC spokespeople have made sure to promote the fact that almonds are California’s top agricultural export. By supplying 80% of the world’s almonds, the industry generates more than 100,000 jobs across multiple professions, resulting in more than $21 billion of gross revenue and adding about $11 billion to the state’s economy.
“We encourage continued efforts that will ensure that agriculture, within the global trade environment, continues to expand,” Waycott told Xinhua News Agency, the official press agency of China. “Market development activities in China have contributed to economic growth in both countries, benefiting California growers and Chinese consumers with a healthy, safe food choice.”
In addition to continuing conversations with the media, ABC participated in an industry conference in China the first week of August, Adams said.
“We’re hopeful a productive dialogue with the Chinese can continue,” she said. “Maintaining consumer trust, confidence and willingness to try almonds as part of their diet is something we’re continuing to grow, and we want to preserve that growth path.”
Global consumers have long enjoyed access to California’s leading agricultural export. As the trade landscape evolves, the Almond Board will continue to share the perspective of the industry on this matter and ensure California almond farmers remain central to the discussion.
