California Walnut Commission Applauds USDA Secretary Rollins for Support of U.S. Walnut Growers in U.K. Trade Mission
May 27, 2025 | 2 min to read
The California Walnut Commission praised U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins for her leadership in a recent trade mission to the United Kingdom, which emphasized significant prospects for American agricultural exports. The mission aimed to advance a new U.S.-U.K. trade agreement, potentially generating a $5 billion opportunity for exports. Representatives discussed the importance of the U.K. market for California walnuts, supported by the USDA Market Access Program, which has bolstered walnut exports into the region.
FOLSOM, Calif. – The California Walnut Commission commends U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins for her leadership and advocacy during a trade mission to the United Kingdom, which highlighted significant opportunities for American agricultural exports.
The mission – Secretary Rollins’ first since taking office – focused on advancing terms of a new U.S.-U.K. trade agreement aimed at reducing tariffs, eliminating trade barriers and expanding U.S. market access. The agreement is projected to generate a $5 billion opportunity for U.S. agriculture exports, benefiting farmers, ranchers and producers across the country.
California Walnut Commission representatives Jack Mariani, CEO of Mariani Nut Company, and Robert Verloop, Executive Director and CEO of the California Walnut Commission, along with trade representatives Peter Meadows and Ian Forbes, from The Garden joined other commodity groups for a roundtable discussion at the U.S. Embassy in London. The event provided a platform for key stakeholders to engage with Secretary Rollins and discuss ways USDA trade promotion programs can support U.S. agricultural exports to the U.K.
“Having a seat at the table with Secretary Rollins gave us the opportunity to reinforce the importance of the U.K. market to California walnut growers,” said Mariani. “As part of the discussion, we were able to highlight how funds from the USDA Market Access Program (MAP) have been able to support trade and consumer programs across the country. This support led to increased exports into the U.K. market, growing it into a top 10 export market for California walnuts.”
During the mission, Secretary Rollins highlighted several U.S. agricultural products, including California walnuts, on her social media platforms, signaling support for American specialty crops abroad.
“The California Walnut Commission applauds Secretary Rollins for her dedication to U.S. farmers, enabling access for American products in existing markets, and opening new markets with strong demand for our products,” said Verloop. “We look forward to continued collaboration with the Secretary and her team to advance the access and marketability of California walnuts around the world.”
For more information on California walnuts and international distribution, visit www.walnuts.org.
About the California Walnut Commission
The California Walnut Commission (CWC) represents more than 3,700 California walnut growers and approximately 70 handlers, grown in multi-generational farmers’ family orchards. California walnuts, known for their excellent nutritional value and quality, are shipped around the world all year long, with more than 99% of the walnuts grown in the United States being from California. The CWC, established in 1987, promotes usage of walnuts through domestic and export market development activities as well as supports health research with consuming walnuts.
To explore recipes and learn more about California walnut growers, industry information and health research, visit walnuts.org.