Almond Industry Update: Global Gains, Local Tools

California almond growers are seeing both global progress and local innovation this season. First, a new U.S.-Japan agreement marks a major milestone: USDA and Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor & Welfare have signed a voluntary aflatoxin pre-testing protocol. Years in the making, this breakthrough reduces Japan’s inspection frequency for participating handlers, cutting export costs and streamlining shipments.

Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, the European Union is reshaping its agricultural approach in response to farmer protests. The EU’s new “Vision for Agriculture and Food” outlines plans for stricter import controls. These include increased emphasis on food safety, pesticide rules, sustainability standards, and the application of “mirror clauses,” which aim to hold imports to the same production standards as domestic goods.

Back at home, the Almond Board of California (ABC) has launched a new tool to support growers pursuing Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) funding. A feature in the California Almond Stewardship Platform (CASP) now translates farm practices into NRCS codes, simplifying early conversations with conservationists.

To learn more about these updates and how they may impact your operation, visit Almonds.com.