USDA Amends the California Raisin Marketing Order No. 989

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today amendments to the federal marketing order for raisins produced from grapes grown in California.

The amendments will:

• Reduce Committee size from 47 to 21, remove producer district representation, add a non-affiliated producer member seat, eliminate the designated cooperative bargaining association seat, and lower quorum requirements from 25 to 14.
• Remove separate nominations for independent producers.
• Remove factor 4 and part of factor 5 for establishing marketing policy and add language clarifying reconditioned raisin quality.
• Add voluntary contribution and trademark authority.

In addition, conforming changes necessary to effectuate the amendments to the marketing order will be made.

USDA published a Secretary's Decision and Referendum Order in the Federal Register on Dec. 11, 2025. Producers voting in the referendum favored the amendments. The final rule for this action was published in the Federal Register on Oct. 9, 2026.

The Raisin Administrative Committee administers the marketing order which authorizes quality regulations and research and promotion programs. USDA will issue a separate announcement seeking nominees for the Raisin Administrative Committee to fill seats for the 21 members and alternates for two-year terms of office. More information about the raisin marketing order and Raisin Administrative Committee is available on the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) California Raisin webpage.

Authorized by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, as amended, marketing orders are industry-driven programs that help 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 to fruit, vegetable and specialty crops marketing orders to ensure fiscal accountability and program integrity.

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