California grapes received a timely boost to their profile in the China market from governor Arnold Schwarzenegger during a recent trade mission to the country.
The trade visit to promote the California Grown programme covered a range of produce items, but grapes received special attention from the governor in recognition of China’s leading role as a market for the fruit.
While visiting a market in Hangzhou, governor Schwarzenegger posed with a basket of California-grown grapes (pictured) showcasing the high-quality of fruit available to Chinese consumers.
According to the California Table Grape Commission, a 2009 survey revealed that Chinese grocery shoppers preferred California grapes to those grown anywhere else, including China.
“From the beginning, we knew China had the potential to be a great market for California grapes,” said Kathleen Nave, president of the California Table Grape Commission. “When the market first opened in late 1997, California grapes were available in just three cities in that country. Since then, we’ve expanded access to California grapes and promotion programmes into all regions of the country.”
Last year, China ranked as the second largest export market for California grapes after Canada, taking almost 4.2m cartons (19lb/8.6kg).
