Charting New Waters: Port of Hueneme Leads Global Conversation on Trade and Resiliency at 12th Annual World Trade Month Summit.

Department of Commerce, Consuls, Industry, and Businesses Participate in Trade-Focused Event.

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Port of Hueneme Contact: Zach Baliva
Director of Communications & PIO
zbaliva@Portofh.org
(805) 616-6881

[Port Hueneme, CA] –President Franklin Roosevelt established World Trade Week in 1935 to recognize the importance and benefits of global trade to the local and national economy. This year, the Port of Hueneme welcomed trade partners from around the world with a focus on “Resiliency – A Path Forward” that included participation from The Department of Commerce officials, local elected officials, business leaders and consuls who shared information focused on the current state of the supply chain, the economy, and global trade.

The Port’s 12th annual World Trade Month event was held on May 16, 2025 at the FATHOMWERX lab located at the Port of Hueneme and welcomed about 150 people from around the globe with an interest and involvement in international trade.

After Stacy Lange, event emcee and Chief Commercial and Public Affairs Officer at the Port of Hueneme, called the event to order, Oxnard Harbor District Secretary Mary Anne Rooney welcomed attendees and set the tone of the event.

“We’re gathered here at the Port of Hueneme—the port that farmers built—to champion Ventura County’s role in global trade and advocate for continued partnership to strengthen our region’s international capabilities,” she said before welcoming a special delegation visiting from Ukraine to participate in the US Department of State’s International Visitors’ Leadership Program of Professional and Cultural Exchanges.

Kristin Decas, CEO & Port Director, provided an overview of port operations, the current state of the supply chain, an update on the Port’s international trade partners, and the economic impact the Port has on the region.

“Happy World Trade Day!” Decas declared before jumping into her presentation about the Port. Decas highlighted the Port’s impressive growth over the last decade, its push to reach zero emissions by 2035, new blueberry cold treatment imports, and the impact of recent tariff developments. The Port, Decas said, is ready to help customers navigate changes in US trade policy.

“The good news is we have a foreign trade zone, which allows importers to defer or avoid tariffs if they bring cargo in and ship it right back out to other parts of the world…it is a tool that can save [companies] a lot of money.”

Trade updates from the Port’s global partners from the countries of Mexico, Japan, Guatemala, Peru, and Hong Kong shared key information about how their countries’ traditional exports and emerging markets are fostering growth and investment opportunities.

Ambassador Ricardo Santana, Consulado de Mexico en Oxnard, said: “The United States is the best friend of Mexico. We are neighbors. We are partners. Mexico is the first trading partner of the United States around the world.

Naoshige Aoshima, Deputy Consul General of Japan in Los Angeles said: “Japan and the United States have very strong economic ties…and the Port of Hueneme plays a big part in it. Japan’s direct investment plays an essential role in contributing to the United States’ economic growth and prosperity.”

Vivian Gabriela Morales, Commercial Counselor, Consulate General of Guatemala in Los Angeles said: “We are especially proud that Guatemala is one of the biggest partners in fruit and vegetable trade through this little port. This achievement is not only a testament to the strength of our cultural sector but also the enduring and fruitful partnership between Guatemala and California and the United States.”

Jaime Casafranca, Consul General of Peru in Los Angeles said: “We exported $1.3 billion to California [in 2024], mainly its agricultural products…the message here is to increase this interchange of trade and export from Peru as well.”

Betty Young, Business Development Officer, Hong Kong Trade Development Council highlighted her country’s partnership with the United States, saying “In 2023, Hong Kong ranked as the seventeenth largest global market for US agricultural products.”

This year’s keynote speaker was Dr. Niree Kodaverdian, Research Manager at Beacon Economics, LLC. Dr. Kodaverdian conducts data research in key practice areas such as Public Policy Analysis and Economic, Fiscal, and Social Impact Analysis. Her lecture focused on regional, national, and global economic trends.

After a lunch break, Arazeli Penilla, Customs Compliance Manager, Driscoll’s, Frank Briseno, Sr. Director of Operations, Mission Produce, and Michael Burn, Global Sourcing Manager, Limoneira participated in a roundtable discussion on resiliency moderated by Rodriguez.

“I know the audience benefited from hearing how three key Port Hueneme partners are unlocking opportunities even in a difficult and changing environment”, said the panel’s moderator, Drew Rodriguez, Business Development Senior Representative at the Port of Hueneme. “Events like these are critical for the Port because they give us the unique chance to unite stakeholders and talk about specific industry challenges so we can all learn from one another.”

To close the event, the Oxnard Harbor District Board of Commissioners presented special awards focused on companies that export goods through the Port of Hueneme.

The Auto Export Achievement was presented to Toyota Motor North America by Mary Anne Rooney, Secretary of the Oxnard Harbor District. The Container Export Achievement was awarded to Allied Potato by Oxnard Harbor District President Jess Ramirez, and the EDC World Trade Advocacy Award was awarded to Bardex Corporation by the US Commercial Service. 

Bruce Stenslie, CEO, EDC-VC, ended the meeting with a regional economic outlook from the Uplift Central Coast Initiative before guests were invited on a waterside port harbor tour.

READ MORE ABOUT THE OXNARD WORLD TRADE CENTER HERE: https://www.portofhueneme.org/business/world-trade-center/

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About the Port of Hueneme

The Port of Hueneme is one of the most productive and efficient commercial trade gateways for niche cargo on the West Coast. Five locally elected Port Commissioners govern the Port. The Port consistently ranks among the top ten U.S. ports for automobiles and fresh produce. Port operations support the community by bringing $2.8 billion in economic activity and creating 25,000 trade-related jobs. Trade through the Port of Hueneme generates more than $236 million in direct and related state and local taxes, which fund vital community services. In 2017, the Port of Hueneme became the first port in California to become Green Marine certified and was voted the Greenest Port in the U.S. at the Green Shipping Summit. www.portofh.org.