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| Horticultural & Tropical Products Division | Return to the H&TP Home Page |
October 6, 2000
As Chinese Imports of Fresh Fruit Rise, So Does Competition
The imported fresh fruit market in China has been expanding
since the implementation of China’s open door policy.
Imported fresh fruits, including those from the United States,
are on sale at almost all the hypermarkets and supermarkets in
China. Currently, apples, grapes and oranges are the main fresh
fruits imported from the United States. U.S. fresh fruit exports
are expected to grow even further as a result of the U.S.-China
Agricultural Cooperation Agreement, the rising income of Chinese
consumers, and the more open policy from Chinese authorities.
Despite the positive image of U.S. products, U.S. exporters are
facing increasingly fierce competition from other countries, such
as Australia and Chile, which supply reasonable quality fruit at
competitive prices. Some Chinese importers of U.S. fresh fruits
noted the quality and packaging of U.S. products, high import
tariffs, and the difficulty for Chinese traders to travel to the
U.S. market, have all affected U.S. market share.
U.S. Agricultural Exports to Mexico on Pace to Reach U.S. $7 Billion
If current trends continue through the remainder of 2000,
exports of U.S. agricultural, fish, and forestry products to
Mexico will reach a record $7 billion by year’s end. As the
Mexican economy continues its robust recovery, spurring increased
local consumption, immediate prospects for further growth in U.S.
agricultural exports are bright. The fastest growing product
category is consumer-oriented products–up a whopping 31
percent through June. Big winners thus far this year are:
processed fruit and vegetables (up 102 percent), fruit and
vegetable juices (up 59 percent), red meat (up 35 percent), wine
and beer (up 35 percent), poultry products (up 34 percent) and
pet food (up 32 percent). All are on their way to record year-end
levels.
Dutch Tree Nut Imports from the U.S. Drop in 2000
Dutch tree nut imports from the United States dropped
considerably during the first six months of 2000. From January to
June 2000, the value of Dutch imports of U.S. pistachios, pecans,
and almonds dropped 34 percent, 12 percent, and 46 percent,
respectively, compared to the same period in 1999. The three main
reasons behind this decline are the strong U.S. dollar, large
worldwide tree nut production, which resulted in very low prices
worldwide, and low stocks from last year’s production, which
prevented importers from buying large amounts. Because of the
high U.S. prices, the bakery industry in the Netherlands has
turned to alternative, less expensive products. Hazelnuts are
used instead of almonds and walnuts instead of pecans. Imports
are expected to pick up at the end of the year however, because
of the holiday season
USDA Trade Successes Surpass $2 Billion in Fiscal Year 1999
The U.S. Department of Agriculture released its fourth annual Sanitary and Phytosanitary Accomplishments Report, highlighting more than $2 billion worth of trade successes in fiscal year 1999. A total of 53 SPS-related trade issues involving U.S. agricultural exports were resolved in fiscal year 1999 with the help of APHIS (Animal, Plant Health Inspection Service) and its USDA partners, in particular the Foreign Agricultural Service, as well as the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, and the Department of State. These trade successes include regaining access to the Brazilian market for U.S. wheat; safeguarding markets for U.S. poultry, petfood, and rendered products in Mexico; and expanding market opportunities for U.S. stone fruit and potatoes in Canada. In Mexico alone, APHIS' efforts were worth more than $1.4 billion. In the Pacific Rim, APHIS was successful in retaining markets for cattle hides and Florida citrus in Korea and expanding markets for cherries, tomatoes, and apples in Japan. The trade successes of fiscal year 1999 build on similar accomplishments in previous years. In fiscal year 1998 and 1997, APHIS helped remove SPS barriers worth more than $375 million, and $2 billion, respectively.
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