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June 9, 2000
New Zealand Wine Production and Exports to Continue Rapid Expansion
New Zealand’s 2000 grape harvest is expected to increase to as much as 90,000 tons, exceeding last year’s record 79,000 tons, due in part to the additional area of vines in production. A smaller harvest in Marlborough, New Zealand’s largest wine producing area, is expected due to a cool wet flowering period. However, this will be offset by the exceptionally large harvests in other regions. During 1999, exports accounted for 30 percent of New Zealand wine sales, and this number is expected to rise to almost 50 percent by 2003 and 66 percent by 2010, according to the Wine Institute of New Zealand. Its largest export markets are the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States. U.S. wine imports from New Zealand rose from $7.8 million in 1998 to $12.1 million in 1999. The New Zealand industry projects that exports will reach $140 million by 2003, almost triple the 1998 total.
New Israeli Tariffs On Pear Imports Not Expected To Affect U.S. Sales
Under the U.S.-Israel Free Trade Agreement, some fruits are imported duty-free within a specified TRQ. On May 31, 2000 the Israeli Government announced new out-of-quota tariffs on pears imported from the United States during the 2000 calendar year (CY). The duties will be applied beyond the current duty-free Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) of 877 tons, which went into effect on January 1, 2000. The new duties are $772 per ton for imported out-of-quota pears valued at or below $772/ton. For U.S. pears with a value higher than $772/ton, the duty is 40.5 percent ad valorem, compared to 35 percent in 1999. The value of U.S. pear exports to Israel has increased dramatically in recent years. U.S. pear exports to Israel were valued at $2 million in CY1999 compared to less than $100,000 in CY 1994. During CY 1999, the price of U.S. pears upon arrival in Israel averaged more than $950 per ton.
USDA Issues Proposed Volume Regulation to Assist Cranberry Industry
On May 30, 2000 USDA announced a proposed rule that would regulate the volume of cranberries to be marketed during the 2000-2001 crop year, in order to stabilize plummeting prices due to expanded production and mounting inventories. Cranberry production in 1999 (July 1999 - June 2000) reached an all-time high of 6.39 million barrels (one barrel equals 100 pounds of cranberries), 17 percent above the previous year. According to the Cranberry Marketing Committee, production could reach 7 million barrels by 2001 based on current acreage and yields. Meanwhile, consumer demand for cranberries has leveled off, with total U.S. sales peaking in 1994 at 4.7 million barrels and dipping to 4.5 million barrels in 1998. As a result, growers have watched prices decline from a peak level of $65.90 per barrel in 1996 to $38.80 per barrel in 1998. Prices for the 1999 crop are expected to fall below $30.00 per barrel. The proposed rule can be viewed at Comments will be accepted until June 14, 2000.
USDA Imposes Treatment Restrictions on Fruit from Two Regions in Chile
On May 31, 2000 USDA imposed restrictions on the importation of certain varieties of fruit from two regions in Chile due to the threat of the Mediterranean fruit fly. All Chilean fruit that is a host for the Medfly and originates from Region 1, the northern-most part of Chile, and the Metropolitan Region, which includes greater Santiago, must undergo treatment before or during export to the United States or upon arrival. APHIS’s action follows an on-site review of the Medfly situation in Chile conducted in April by a team of technical specialists, who were assisted by Chilean agriculture officials. The new treatment requirements took effect May 24.
USDA Proposes to Allow Irradiation of Fruit and Vegetable Imports
On May 25, 2000 USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) proposed regulations to allow irradiation as a phytosanitary treatment for fruits and vegetables imported into the United States. The proposed regulations would allow the use of irradiation to control 10 species of fruit flies in imported fruits and vegetables. More information on the proposed rule is available on the Internet at
EPA Proposes Revoking Methyl Parathion Tolerances
On June 2, 2000, EPA announced that it plans to amend the maximum residue limits (MRLs) for methyl parathion on some fruits and vegetables including apples, broccoli, brussels sprouts, carrots, celery, cherries, grapes, nectarines, peaches, pears and plums. EPA made that determination after completing a comprehensive review of methyl parathion's uses. EPA proposes to make these revocations and amendments effective upon publication of the final rule. On June 2, 2000 the Food and Drug Administration, also issued guidance on how it will handle situations involving methyl parathion residues in foods that were legally treated with methyl parathion before January 2000. The EPA Federal Register notice is available at: http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST. For more information on EPA's reassessment of methyl parathion, visit http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/op.
EPA Announces Guidance on Pesticide Tolerances for Imported Foods
On June 1, 2000, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a guidance on how it will apply current U.S. data requirements when establishing or continuing tolerances for pesticide residues in or on imported foods. This guidance includes information on how to adapt data requirements for U.S. food uses to import tolerances, both for establishing new import tolerances and for modifying or maintaining existing U.S. tolerances for import purposes when U.S. uses or registrations are canceled. EPA is soliciting comments by July 31, 2000, on the approach reflected in this guidance. A copy of the federal register notice can be obtained at or contact Kimberly Lowe, Office of Pesticide Programs, Special Review and Reregistration Division (7508C), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20460, tel: (703) 308-8059; fax: (703) 308-8041, e-mail address: lowe.kimberly@epa.gov
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