Michelle McNeil
Senior Marketing Director, International
California Walnut Commission
Ms. McNeil is the Senior Marketing Director, International for the California Walnut Commission and California Walnut Board, based in Folsom, CA. Since February 2004, Ms. McNeil has been responsible for directing the marketing programs, regulatory matters and trade policy in six export countries including: Germany, Spain, China, South Korea, Canada and Japan. Ms. McNeil earned an MBA from the Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver in 2001 and holds a B.A. in Communications from Loyola Marymount University.
The long-standing relationship between the trade and California continues to make Japan a top export market for California walnuts.
Japan continues to be an important export market for the California walnut Industry, accounting for over 18 million pounds of shelled walnuts annually. Approximately 70% of walnuts are used in industrial bakery, 25% for Tsukudani and the remainder for snack/table nuts.
Japan was designated as an export market for the walnut industry in 1986. In the years that followed the California Walnut Commission (CWC) established the New Product Development Competition to award manufacturers who introduced new walnut inclusive products (i.e. breads, pastries, etc.). The competition has the distinction of being the longest running and highly regarded commodity competitions recognizing new products in the bakery and confectionary sector. Over the past 20 years more than 4,200 products have been submitted to the competition with over 154 awards presented over that span of time. A total of 17 entries remain available for purchase in stores today. Leading bakeries, Donq and Andersen, have been awarded the most times in the twenty-year history.
The long-standing relationship between the trade and California continues to make Japan a top export market for California walnuts. The CWC continues to promote the quality, taste, versatility and health benefits of our product through activities targeted to consumers, as well as, trade.
