The California Walnut Commission (CWC) announced it has been awarded $7 million in funding from the Regional Agricultural Promotion Program’s (RAPP) second round of grants. The funding aims to expand distribution and increase sales of California walnuts in international markets.
The CWC, which represents more than 4,600 growers—mostly family-owned farms spanning several generations—and about 70 handlers, has long relied on the USDA’s Market Access Program (MAP) to grow its global reach. According to the commission, the new RAPP funding will help the industry move into new regions and strengthen its presence in existing export markets.
“We have depended on MAP funding for our success over the years, and this additional RAPP funding will let us expand into even more areas,” said Robert Verloop, CEO of the California Walnut Commission. “We look forward to increasing global sales and improving market access for California walnuts.”
California walnuts are recognized for their nutritional value and are shipped worldwide, with the state producing 99% of all walnuts grown in the United States. The CWC, founded in 1987, works to develop both domestic and international markets for California walnuts and supports health research related to walnut consumption.
Sabrina Halvorson
National Correspondent / AgNet Media, Inc.
Sabrina Halvorson is an award-winning journalist, broadcaster, and public speaker who specializes in agriculture. She primarily reports on legislative issues and hosts The AgNet News Hour and The AgNet Weekly podcast. Sabrina is a native of California’s agriculture-rich Central Valley.