When club store giant Costco opened its first store in China the week of Aug. 26, California Giant Berry Farms strawberries were among the fresh produce items for sale.

“We were honored that Costco chose California Giant Berry Farms to pack, ship and deliver fresh strawberries for their new Shanghai grand opening,” says Joe Barsi, Cal Giant’s COO. “A lot of dedicated employees within California Giant and Costco worked together behind the scenes so that Costco could offer fresh California strawberries to their members.”

With about a week’s notice to prepare various inspections, phytosanitary certificates, logistical processes and documentation with the Santa Maria Agriculture Commission and the USDA, Cal Giant exported 90 crates of fresh California Giant strawberries to Shanghai, Barsi says.

“Today marks a banner day in which our partner California Giant assisted Costco Wholesale in navigating through the rigors of testing protocol to successfully launch the opening of Costco's first warehouse club in China,” says Frank Padilla, vice president and general manager of produce and meat for Costco. “We’re grateful to be able to offer high quality California strawberries to our Chinese members with the assistance of California Giant.”