Olympics opens door for California strawberries in China
Olympics opens door for California strawberries in China
The California Strawberry Commission received word June 13 from the government of China that its bid on behalf of the state's strawberry growers to provide strawberries to the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, had been approved.
In 2006, the commission applied for market access for strawberries to be exported to China. In an effort to facilitate a process that is typically protracted, the commission requested a special permit to allow California strawberries to be exported to China for the Olympic Games.
Discussions between commission President Mark Murai and China's trade negotiators began in 2007 following a request from China's Olympic athletes for strawberries, which they voted as one of their top three choices of fruit to eat during the games. The results are from a 2007 survey conducted by the Beijing Fruit Industry Association.
"We are excited and honored to be able to fulfill the athletes' request for strawberries during the Olympic Games," Mr. Murai said in a press release. "Strawberries from California are available all year and particularly during August, when strawberries are not grown in China. It's a situation that will benefit everyone."
China produces strawberries for a short period of time during the spring. California already ships strawberries to Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan, but this is the first time California strawberries will be shipped to the People's Republic of China, said Carolyn O'Donnell, issues and food-safety manager for the commission.
China has approved shipments of California strawberries from July through September. The Olympic Games competition starts Aug. 8, followed by the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games.
California shippers interested in exporting strawberries to China in that three-month window would need to secure contracts with Chinese importers. China has limited the special permit to two shippers, on a first-come, first- served basis. The first two shippers to provide proof of an agreement to the commission will be submitted to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and to China for approval.
Though the temporary agreement expires Sept. 30, the commission is "staying optimistic" that China will open its doors more fully to California strawberries in the future, said Mary DeGroat, director of marketing and communications for the commission.
Cindy Jewell, director of marketing for Watsonville, CA-based California Giant Berry Farms, said that her company will apply for a special permit to the Olympic Games.
For the industry, any permanent agreement for shipping California strawberries into China likely would be "a few years away," Ms. Jewell said.
In 2006, the commission applied for market access for strawberries to be exported to China. In an effort to facilitate a process that is typically protracted, the commission requested a special permit to allow California strawberries to be exported to China for the Olympic Games.
Discussions between commission President Mark Murai and China's trade negotiators began in 2007 following a request from China's Olympic athletes for strawberries, which they voted as one of their top three choices of fruit to eat during the games. The results are from a 2007 survey conducted by the Beijing Fruit Industry Association.
"We are excited and honored to be able to fulfill the athletes' request for strawberries during the Olympic Games," Mr. Murai said in a press release. "Strawberries from California are available all year and particularly during August, when strawberries are not grown in China. It's a situation that will benefit everyone."
China produces strawberries for a short period of time during the spring. California already ships strawberries to Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan, but this is the first time California strawberries will be shipped to the People's Republic of China, said Carolyn O'Donnell, issues and food-safety manager for the commission.
China has approved shipments of California strawberries from July through September. The Olympic Games competition starts Aug. 8, followed by the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games.
California shippers interested in exporting strawberries to China in that three-month window would need to secure contracts with Chinese importers. China has limited the special permit to two shippers, on a first-come, first- served basis. The first two shippers to provide proof of an agreement to the commission will be submitted to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and to China for approval.
Though the temporary agreement expires Sept. 30, the commission is "staying optimistic" that China will open its doors more fully to California strawberries in the future, said Mary DeGroat, director of marketing and communications for the commission.
Cindy Jewell, director of marketing for Watsonville, CA-based California Giant Berry Farms, said that her company will apply for a special permit to the Olympic Games.
For the industry, any permanent agreement for shipping California strawberries into China likely would be "a few years away," Ms. Jewell said.
