Californian farmers eye stronger China ties

Representatives from California's agriculture and food industries are calling for greater trade stability and stronger bilateral cooperation between China and the United States, saying demand in China for high-quality agricultural and food products remains strong despite trade tensions and shifting global supply chains, with many companies continuing to view the Chinese market as a long-term strategic priority.

Lindsay Tello, senior advisor for trade policy at the Almond Board of California, said California almond exports to China have been affected by tariffs introduced during the trade dispute between the two countries, but Chinese demand for California almonds has remained "important".

"China remains an extremely important market, and we're really proud of our long partnership," Tello told China Daily.

According to Tello, the Almond Board of California has operated in China for more than 30 years and invested over $75 million in market development and research. She said California almond exports to China previously reached between $200 million and $300 million annually before the trade tensions, when China was among the industry's top export markets. By 2025, however, China had fallen from the top-five spot due to rising tariffs and shifting trade flows.

At the same time, Tello noted, overall almond consumption in China has continued to rise, reaching a record 160,000 metric tons last year.

Tello said that California's almond farming community is largely made up of multigenerational family farms that remain committed to long-term cooperation with Chinese partners.

Remaining steadfast

"We continue to remain invested and steadfast in our China engagement," she said, adding that maintaining positive relations with Chinese government agencies, importers, manufacturers and consumers remains a key priority for the industry.

Tello also said tariffs and policy certainty are essential for agricultural trade.

Despite this, Tello said California almonds continue to maintain strong competitiveness because of their quality and reputation in the Chinese market.

California's dairy industry also expressed strong interest in expanding cooperation with China.

Matt Henderson, director of international sales at California Dairies, said the company represents around 300 family-owned dairy farms and produces approximately 7.7 million tons of milk annually, exporting dairy products to more than 50 countries, including China.

Henderson, who lived in Shanghai between 2012 and 2015 and traveled extensively across China, said California Dairies had completed the certifications necessary to begin exporting milk and cream products to China.

"That is going to be an emphasis and an objective of ours here this year and moving forward," he said.

According to Henderson, growing middle-class demand in China for nutrition-focused and value-added products such as butter, cheese and cream presents major opportunities for California exporters. He said Asian markets are increasingly focused on food security, supply chain resilience, sustainability and nutrition.

"We're attempting to export nutrition," Henderson said. "In Asia, that's something they are demanding, and something that we can supply here in California."

Liu Chunxi, senior executive president of Chinese dairy producer Yili Group, said stable and predictable trade policies are essential for sustaining long-term cooperation between Chinese and US dairy companies.