CLINTON ADMINISTRATION SECURES EXPORT MARKETS
                                            Release No. 0159.97
                                                               
                                   Bethany Jones (301) 734-7280
                                          bjones@aphis.usda.gov
                                   Jim Petterson (202) 720-6959
                                            jpetterson@usda.gov


CLINTON ADMINISTRATION SECURES EXPORT MARKETS FOR SEVERAL MORE CALIFORNIA    
  AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS

     WASHINGTON, May 14, 1997--Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman today
announced the opening of export markets to Chile and China for California
agricultural products worth an estimated $60 million.

     "After several intense negotiations, USDA has secured the export of
California kiwis, grapes, and lemons to Chile and grapes to China," said
Glickman.  "We have been working hard to facilitate the trade of these
products and to assure both Chile and China that there is no threat of pests
and diseases."

     Chile's Ministry of Agriculture has agreed to allow the importation of
kiwis, grapes, grapefruits, lemons, and oranges as long as USDA's Animal and
Plant Health Inspection Service can certify the products are free of pests
such as the Mediterranean fruit fly and diseases such as citrus canker. 
California producers can begin exporting these products immediately. 
Industry anticipates the opening of these markets to be worth $10 million.

     Grapes from Fresno, Kern, Tulare, and Madera Counties in California
also can be exported to China as soon as the first shipments are ready in
mid- to late-July.  This market is expected to be worth roughly $50 million
within a few years.

     The opening of Chile and China's markets to these California products
follows an April 25 USDA announcement that California tomatoes can now be
exported to Japan--a market previously closed for 46 years to fresh
tomatoes.  The lifting of Japan's ban is expected to be worth $50 million.  

     "This administration is very committed to expanding U.S. agricultural
trade markets," said Glickman.  "Efforts like this bring us even closer to
our goal of doubling U.S. agricultural exports by the year 2000." 

     "We are pleased to note this progress in expanding access for U.S.
horticultural exports to Chile and China," said Michael Dunn, assistant
secretary for marketing and regulatory programs.  "The United States has
formal understandings with both countries that place these products--as well
asotherss that cannot be imported yet--in a group whose technical import
requirements will be reviewed and eased as soon as possible.  The opening of
Chile and China's markets to these horticultural products offers exciting
new opportunities to a booming export sector for U.S. agriculture."

                                
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