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| Horticultural & Tropical Products Division | Return to the H&TP Home Page |
August 25, 2000
Japan Approves Imports of All U.S. Varieties of Nectarines
During public hearings held in Japan on August 2, 2000, Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (MAFF) announced their approval of the importation of all varieties of U.S. nectarines. A draft work plan proposal for the exportation of U.S. nectarines to Japan has been completed by the California industry and sent to MAFF for approval. The import approval will need to be published in the official Japanese gazette before shipments are allowed. The entry requirements include fumigation of the fruit prior to export and on-site Japanese inspectors. Anticipating final entry approval before the end of this season, a few California nectarine shippers are already requesting MAFF inspectors to come to California as soon as possible to verify fumigation treatment and facilities. Under current protocol directives, Japan only allows imports of 10 varieties of U.S. nectarines. Without the variety restriction, Japan’s market potential for U.S. nectarines is estimated at $2 million annually.
Korean Imports of U.S. Fresh Fruit up 152 Percent
The year 2000 is proving to be a record year for U.S. fresh fruit exports to Korea. Korea's fresh fruit imports from the U.S. during January - June 2000, were valued at $58 million, up 152 percent from the same period in 1999. During the first six months of 2000, total fruit imports in Korea grew 42 percent to $125 million compared with the same period last year. Oranges continue to be the largest U.S. fresh fruit import into the Korean market, accounting for 92 percent of total fruit imports. A strong and fast recovery of the Korean economy is driving this surge in imports.
Large Strawberry Crop Boosts Fresh Strawberry Exports in 2000
Fresh strawberry exports in the first six months of 2000 (January - June) are up 22 percent to $65.7 million. Exports to Canada and Mexico, the largest and third largest market for fresh U.S. strawberries, are up 20 percent ($59 million) and 147 percent ($2 million), respectively. Strawberry production is up 7 percent in 2000 due to greater acreage planted in California and Florida, the two largest producers of strawberries. The large strawberry crop combined with strong international demand is driving the increase in U.S. fresh strawberry exports.
Canadian Potato Acreage Slightly Higher in 2000
In its first estimate of Canadian potato area for 2000, Statistics Canada reported potato acreage at 397,300 acres, up 1.2 percent from last year’s estimate. Demand for processing potatoes, particularly in western Canada, continues to drive increased potato plantings in that region. Alberta acreage increased by more than 16 percent (7,000 acres) over its 1999 area, reflecting increased processing capacity in the province. Saskatchewan potato area is estimated to be up 19 percent (1,500 acres), but the increase is related to stronger demand for seed potatoes. In Prince Edward Island, Canada’s top potato producing province, potato acreage fell 3.5 percent (4,000 acres) from last year’s planted area estimate.
U.S. Coffee Exports to Mexico Exceed NAFTA Safeguard Quota
On August 1, 2000, Mexico announced that the quantity of select coffee products (unflavored instant coffee, extract of concentrated liquid coffee, preparations with a basis of extracts, and other coffee products) imported from the United States have exceeded the safeguard quota agreed to under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). As a result, starting August 2, 2000, Mexico increased its tariff rate from 6 percent to 20 percent which will remain in effect through December 31, 2000.
USDA Launches New On-Line Report on Ocean Container Market
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced on August 10, 2000 the publication of Agricultural Ocean Transportation Trends, a semiannual, on-line report that provides information on the ocean container market's cost and service trends. Information in the report was developed using data reported monthly in the AMS Ocean Rate Bulletin, which tracks agricultural container rates to most Asian and some European countries and covers high-valued agricultural commodities. The data is used to generate monthly container rate trends in the ocean container market to provide shippers and carriers with a better view of how the market is responding to changes in trade patterns or U.S. regulations. The report also provides a perspective on the new confidential service contracting procedures that came into effect May 1, 1999. This information and other factors which affect, or are expected to affect, the market are collected from interviews with agricultural shippers that control more than 150,000 40-foot equivalent units. Agricultural Ocean Transportation Trends can be viewed on the Internet at www.ams.usda.gov/tmd/agott.
USDA Proposes Expanding List of Fruits and Vegetables Eligible for Importation
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is proposing to expand the list of fruits and vegetables eligible, under specified conditions, for importation into the United States. Additionally, USDA is proposing to recognize the state of Baja California Sur, Mexico, as an area free of certain fruit flies and recognize Belize and the Department of Pet‚n, Guatemala, as areas free of the Mediterranean fruit fly. All of the fruits and vegetables included under this proposal would have to be imported with a permit. As a condition of entry, the fruits and vegetables would also be inspected and subject to disinfection at the port of first arrival as may be required by a USDA inspector. In addition, some of the fruits and vegetables would be required to be treated or meet other special conditions. The fruits and vegetables specified in the proposal include: kiwi from Argentina, passion fruit from Chile, carambola from Mexico, and lettuce, eggplant, and watermelon from Spain. For more information, contact Donna L. West, import specialist, phytosanitary issues management team, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 140, Riverdale, Md. 20737, (301) 734-6799. Notice of this action is scheduled to appear in the Aug. 21 Federal Register. APHIS documents published in the Federal Register, and related information, including the names of organizations and individuals who have commented on APHIS rules, are available on the Internet at Consideration will be given to comments received on or before Oct. 20, 2000. Please send an original and three copies to Docket No. 00-006-1, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS Suite 3C03, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, Md. 20737-1238.
ITC Studies the Economic Impact of U.S. Sanctions with Respect to Cuba
The International Trade Commission (ITC) has been requested by Congress to institute investigation No. 332-413, The Economic Impact of U.S. Sanctions with Respect to Cuba, which will provide an overview of U.S. sanctions with respect to Cuba as well as an evaluation of the current impact U.S. sanctions have on U.S.-Cuban bilateral trade, investment, employment, and consumers, with particular attention to the effects on U.S. services, U.S. agriculture, and other sectors for which the impact is likely to be significant. ITC plans to submit its report by February 15, 2001. A public hearing in connection with the investigation will be held in Washington, DC on September 19, 2000. Requests to appear at the public hearing should be filed with the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436, no later than 5:15 p.m., August 29, 2000.
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