USDA Proposes Rule to Modify Handling Requirements for California and Imported Kiwifruit

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting comments on a proposed change to the handling requirements under the federal marketing order for kiwifruit grown in California.

This action would add two new kiwifruit size designations, increase the size variation tolerance for certain kiwifruit sizes, and increase the maximum number of kiwifruit in an 8-pound sample for Size 45 kiwifruit. This action would also make a corresponding change to the requirements for imported kiwifruit reflecting the increase to the maximum number of kiwifruit in an 8-pound sample for Size 45 kiwifruit. The addition of two new kiwifruit sizes and changes in the size variance requirement proposed by this action would not affect the kiwifruit import requirements.

The Kiwifruit Administrative Committee recommended this action to reflect the larger size fruit being handled due to improvements in growing practices and the recently created "Mega" kiwifruit variety.

The proposed rule for this action was published in the Federal Register on Feb. 6, 2026. Written comments are due by April 7, 2026.

Comments on the proposed change can be submitted on https://www.regulations.gov. All comments on the proposed rule submitted by the deadline will be available for public review and be considered before publication of the final rule.

More information about the California kiwifruit marketing order and the Kiwifruit Administrative Committee is available on the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) California Kiwifruit webpage or by contacting AMS' Market Development Division at (202) 720-8085.

Authorized by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, marketing orders are industry-driven programs that help fruit, vegetable and specialty crop producers and handlers achieve marketing success by leveraging their own funds to design and execute programs that they would not be able to do individually. AMS provides oversight of each fruit, vegetable, and specialty crop marketing order and agreement to ensure fiscal accountability and program integrity.

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