EDA Winter Newsletter

WINTER NEWSLETTER Page 8

Office of Foreign Trade 2015 Southern CA International Trade Summit in Palm Springs, CA

markets are willing to pay premium prices for safe, high quality food. Dr. Glenda Humiston, Vice president for the University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, spoke on new developments in California’s ag-industry: new research on ways to combat the Asian Citrus Psyllid and the Shot Hole Borer; new techniques to protect natural resources; and California agriculture needs to prepare for a future labor shortage. However, agriculture’s important role in the California economy was the most important point of Humiston’s presentation. Although the agricultural sector makes up only 2% of the California economy; the agricultural sector employs over 1.2 million people, generates over $318 billion in direct sales, and is projected to add 272,000 new middle class jobs in the next 5 years. Humiston concluded by stating that California needs to undergo a massive upgrade to its current infrastructure in order to help agriculture. The Summit concluded with panels on International Trade and Regional Agricultural Issues. The panels informed the summit attendees about major international food expos, important issues in U.S. – Canada bilateral trade, and the importance of the exporting American produce. According to Jeff Deiss, the world economy is growing so quickly that there will no longer be any emerging markets in the next 20 years. If U.S. farmers want to get a foothold in foreign markets, and set the taste preferences of those countries’ middle classes, then U.S. growers need to export now.

Over 200 growers, exporters, food processors, bankers, logistics companies, and government officials attended the 2015 Southern California International Trade Summit at the Palm Springs Hilton Hotel on November 4. Delegates came to the summit to learn about various exporting opportunities for Southern California growers and food processors, new advancements in agricultural technology, new information about the 2016 Farm Bill, and major issues facing Southern California Agriculture. Over 20 panelists, representing numerous government agencies, came from across United States to share knowledge of exporting. The summit was attended by representatives of the City of Riverside; agricultural specialists from the University of California – Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources; and representatives from Robo Bank and the East – West Bank. Each of the presenters, panelists, and specialists were on hand to help California growers to to increase their production and export their goods. A warm welcome was given from John Benoit, Fourth District Supervisor, Riverside County BOS. The United States Food and Drug Administration (USDA)

emphasized the importance of the Trans- Pacific Partnership (TPP) in allowing American food exporters to get access to emerging markets. John Doe spoke on behalf of Western United States Agriculture Trade Association (WUSATA) and noted that American growers need to focus on finding ways to export their produce. According to WUSATA, US growers need to focus on producing value added products because the growing middle classes of emerging

L to R: P. Smith, SBA; K. Rich, USDA; R. Dozier, R/C Office of Foreign Trade; J. Gaglio, Broadberry.com; J. Deiss, SBA; N. Leight-Giveon, Canadian Consulate; F. Latuperissa, US Dept. of Commerce; H. Marshall, R/C Office of Foreign trade; A. Anderson, WUSATA; J. Jong, City of Riverside; Dr. G. Humiston, UCR; E. Takele, UCR; J. Aquiar, UCCE; P Karsting, Foreign Ag Service; M. Weber, City of Coachella; A. Ross, CITD; S. Pastor, R/C Farm Bureau; S. Walters, Rabobank.