USDA Trade Push Meets a Changing California Raisin Industry

On today’s episode of the AgNet News Hour, two conversations offered a look at both the opportunities and challenges facing American agriculture. USDA Under Secretary Luke Lindberg discussed agricultural trade and expanding markets for U.S. products, while Jeff Smutny, president and managing director of the Raisin Administrative Committee, shared his outlook for an iconic California specialty crop.

Lindberg, who has now served a year as USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, said improving America's agricultural trade position has been a major focus.

According to Lindberg, the U.S. agricultural trade deficit has been cut by approximately 50 percent over the past year. He pointed to new trade agreements, expanded market access and an aggressive schedule of international trade missions as important parts of that progress.

Those trade missions aren't simply diplomatic visits. Lindberg said more than 250 companies have participated in missions over the past year, resulting in more than 2,700 business-to-business meetings designed to connect American agriculture directly with buyers.

For California specialty crop producers, Lindberg also discussed opportunities in growing markets such as Vietnam, the upcoming USMCA review and USDA efforts to address technical barriers that can prevent U.S. products from reaching foreign customers.

Later in the program, the conversation turned to California raisins.

Smutny acknowledged that the industry has changed significantly from its peak. California raisin production that once reached roughly 350,000 tons annually is now closer to 220,000 tons, while acreage has declined as vineyards compete with less labor-intensive crops for Central Valley farmland.

But Smutny sees a path forward.

New higher-yielding varieties, dried-on-the-vine production and increased mechanization could help growers remain competitive. He also discussed opportunities to rethink how raisins are marketed and used, including developing raisin pastes and concentrates for products such as snack and protein bars.

Together, the interviews provide an interesting look at what it will take to keep American agriculture competitive—from opening markets overseas to reinventing one of California's most historic crops.

Listen to the full interviews below or on your favorite podcast app.