January 21,2020
Organic produce gains
Report says organic fresh produce notched a 7.9% sales gain at retail in 2018, according to IRI/FreshLook Marketing. That compares with a 2.85% gain for all produce sales in 2018.
Forecast turns dry
California snowpack is down to 82% of average for the date as a dry spell hits the state. Rainfalll to date this water year in reservoir rich Northern California has been particularly hard hit as this map shows. Meanwhile the NOAA forecast for the next three months (the rest of winter) is not looking good either as this map indicates below average rain for the state.
America Drank Less Wine for First Time in 25 Years
Reports suggest hat Millennials opted for other beverages and baby boomers pulled back as more chose non-alcoholic beverages, spirits that cater to low-calorie and natural ingredients or pot as alternatives.A downturn has hit California where we produces 61 percent of all wine consumed in the United States, according to the Wine Institute. Younger drinkers may be preferring premium spirits and cocktails over red or white wine says one observer.
One tunnel is the plan
Governor Newsom directed state agencies this month to pursue a single tunnel solution to modernize our water infrastructure, and when combined with the broader, statewide Portfolio approach. Newsom says this project would help safeguard a vital source of affordable water for millions of Californians,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth. “This water supply is critical to the health of local communities, the future of the Delta ecosystem and the success of our state’s economy.”
California’s main system of water conveyance, which moves a large portion of the state’s surface water supply, continues to be under threat from flood, subsidence, earthquake, and climate change. Our state-led water system that captures precipitation from the Sierra Nevada mountains and the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers to provide drinking water to 27 million Californians faces major vulnerabilities as it travels through the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
Politico reporst that “Ag lending decreased by 5 percent during the second half of 2019 due to trade aid for farmers, as well as lower production costs and relatively strong crop yields, according to the Federal Reserve last week.”
Politoco also report sthat House Democrats are warning that raising tariffs on European wines from 25 percent to 100 percent could lead to 78,000 job losses in the U.S. The Trump administration is also threatening to slap 100 percent duties on French champagne.