California Prune Board Applauds U.S. — EU Progress Toward Fair Trade Agreement
ROSEVILLE, CALIF. – August 22, 2025 – The California Prune Board (CPB) welcomes the recent announcement by the United States and the European Union outlining a framework on reciprocal, fair, and balanced trade, as detailed in the official White House joint statement.
Donn Zea, Executive Director of the California Prune Board commented “The EU is one of the most important markets for California Prunes, representing more than $27 million in annual value. The announcement of these details is an encouraging step toward fair trade, and we strongly support efforts to ensure prunes are part of the final agreement. For growers and handlers across California, securing fair access to the EU isn’t just about tariffs, it’s about protecting our future in this critical market and sustaining the agricultural communities here at home that help feed the world.”
The joint statement confirms that the EU intends to provide preferential market access for a wide range of U.S. agricultural goods, including fresh and processed fruits. U.S. prunes, grown exclusively in California and exported worldwide, stand apart for their quality, consistency, and sustainability standards, and fall squarely within this category.
The California Prune Board looks forward to continued engagement with the negotiators to ensure prunes and prune juice are included in the final agreement and that growers have a fair chance to compete globally.
ABOUT THE CALIFORNIA PRUNE BOARD
The California Prune Board was established in 1980 to represent growers and handlers under the authority of the California Secretary of Food and Agriculture. California is the world’s leading premium prune supplier, responsible for virtually all U.S. output (over 99 %) with orchards across the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys. Promoting a lifetime of wellness through the enjoyment of California Prunes, the organization leads the premium prune category with generations of craftsmanship supported by California’s leading food safety and sustainability standards. California Prunes. Prunes. For life.
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For more information, contact:
Kiaran Locy, Director of Brand & Industry Communication
California Prune Board
klocy@californiaprunes.org
916-749-3442
Esther Ritson-Elliott, Director of International Marketing & Communications
California Prune Board
global@californiaprunes.net
Tel: +44 (0) 1858 462656