Food And Farm News
March 18, 2026
Iran war strands California farm exports
The U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, now in its third week, is taking a toll on California’s high-value agriculture sector. In addition to causing sharp increases in fuel and fertilizer costs, the war has disrupted access to key export markets. Since the war began on Feb. 28, Iran has responded to U.S. attacks by effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial shipping route, and paralyzing commercial ports in nearby countries that host U.S. military bases. Robert Verloop, CEO of the California Walnut Board and Commission, said 70,000 tons of walnuts, or about 10% of the billion-dollar sector’s yearly production, were either en route to the Middle East or scheduled to be shipped there this month. “That certainly is at risk,” Verloop said. Tulare County nut exporter Bikram Hundal said one vessel carrying a shipment of his was diverted to the Netherlands, while another was rerouted to Algeria. “It’s going to be a loss,” Hundal said.
Could tea be California’s next cash crop?
Aside from water, tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world. It can be found in almost 80% of U.S. households, according to the Tea Association of the USA Inc. More than 160 million Americans drink tea, yet tea isn’t grown domestically. Atef Swelam, director of the University of California Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Fresno County, would like to see California farmers capitalize on this untapped market. “We import about 120 million pounds of tea into the U.S. annually, spending about $6 billion,” Swelam said. He added that as San Joaquin Valley farmland is retired to comply with California’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, the niche crop could give growers a way to maximize profit per acre. This week, farmers are invited to the Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center to learn about opportunities for growing and marketing the crop.
Tomato agreement aims to manage parasitic weed
Beginning this season, processing tomato growers, haulers and harvesters will come under mandatory state compliance agreements designed to contain and manage the parasitic weed broomrape. The California Department of Food and Agriculture introduced the agreements, which spell out equipment sanitation and broomrape risks, just before the 2025 season as part of a soft launch. This season, the agreements will be required to be signed by all parties before tomatoes are moved from a field, said Michelle Dennis, CDFA Integrated Pest Control Branch chief. The reason for the tough stance is the potential economic impact the weed poses to the state’s processing tomato industry, said Brad Hanson, a University of California Cooperative Extension weed specialist. “It means you can go from a pretty small problem to a pretty big problem in short order,” he said.
Farm Bureau president invites members to state Capitol
California Farm Bureau President Shannon Douglass is inviting the organization’s members to advocate at the state Capitol in Sacramento this spring on issues that affect California farmers and ranchers. “More often than not, elected officials genuinely want to do the right thing. But they can’t possibly be experts in every industry. Unless we take the time to explain how proposals affect agriculture, they simply won’t know,” Douglass said this month in an Ag Alert® commentary. The Farm Bureau’s Calling on the Capitol Series will bring farmers and ranchers from across the state to Sacramento, where they will meet with state lawmakers and legislative staff. The series will include visits to the Capitol on March 18, April 21, May 5 and May 26.
For more information about any story in Food and Farm News, contact the California Farm Bureau Marketing/Communications Division at 916-561-5550 or email news@cfbf.com. Connect with us on Facebook, X, or Instagram: @CAFarmBureau.
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