Blue Diamond Almonds, Chinese Companies Ink $50M Deal

SAN FRANCISCOOfficials from China and the Blue Diamond Almonds Global Ingredients Division signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to purchase at least $50 million worth of Blue Diamond almonds in the next 12 months.

Bian Zhenhu, President of the China Chamber of Commerce for The Import and Export of Foodstuffs, Native Produce and Animal By-Products, Beijing, and Bill Morecraft, General Manager of Blue Diamond Almonds Global Ingredient Division, Sacramento, Calif., signed the MOU at the San Francisco City Hall. Californias Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee and Wang Chou, Vice Minister of Commerce for China, were on hand for the signing ceremony.

Morecraft said Blue Diamonds Global Ingredient Division pioneered bringing almonds to China nearly 40 years ago. Since then, China has grown to be the largest importer of almonds in the world.

Shipments to China for the 2011 crop year through June have reached nearly 230 million pounds, 41% over last year. The Blue Diamond products going to China are either in-shell or kernels destined as ingredients for snacking or use in manufacturing," he said.

In June, Blue Diamond Almonds ingredients business changed its name from Industrial Products to Blue Diamond Almonds Global Ingredients Division. The Global Ingredients Division is the largest division within Blue Diamond Growers, and its new positioning reflects its sustained double-digit yearly growth as the dominant global almond supplier.