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| Horticultural & Tropical Products Division | Return to the H&TP Home Page |
August 24, 2001
Greek Peach Canners Benefit from Low Costs; Maintain Pressure on U.S. Industry
Greek processors are paying 15 percent less for raw fruit than last year and production may well exceed last year’s level of 397,000 tons canned net weight. These factors coupled with an appreciating dollar exchange rate will continue to make the U.S. market attractive for Greek exports. Last year, U.S. imports from Greece increased 77 percent from the previous year, totaling a record 1.7 million cases and equaling 10 percent of U.S. production. Greek growers will receive a price of $216 per metric ton for 300,000 tons of raw fruit delivered to processors. Processors will only have to pay $174 per metric tons while a direct subsidy to growers will provide the remaining $42. Growers will receive an additional $103 per metric ton for 90,000 tons of fruit delivered to withdrawal. By comparison U.S. processors will pay $261 per metric ton, which about $86 per metric ton more than Greek processors are paying.
Commerce Extends Deadline for Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty Review on Fresh Garlic Imports From China
On August 9, the Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration (ITA) issued a Federal Register notice to extend the time limit for completion of the preliminary results of an antidumping new shipper review and an antidumping duty administrative review on fresh garlic imports from China to August 17, 2001. The original investigation of fresh garlic from China was instituted in response to a petition filed by the Fresh Garlic Association in January 1994, which resulted in the imposition of antidumping dumping duties of 376.67 percent against Chinese fresh garlic imported into the United States, in November, 1994. Currently, U.S. annual imports of fresh garlic total approximately 26,000 tons, with Mexico accounting for about 58 percent. Prior to the imposition of antidumping duties in 1994, China accounted for the bulk of U.S. fresh garlic imports.
Commerce Extends Antidumping Review of Thai Canned Pineapple
On August 9, the Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration (ITA), announced that the final results of the antidumping review on canned pineapple from Thailand would be extended until October 9, 2001. This is the fifth review since the original investigation in 1995 determined that Thai producers and exporters were selling canned pineapple below fair market value. Earlier this year, a sunset review by the ITA determined that the threat of injury to the U.S. pineapple industry still existed and that another five yearly reviews will take place following the October 9 decision. Last year, the United States imported 316,852 metric tons (MT) of preserved pineapples, of which Thailand supplied 32 percent.
Mexico Announces the Financing Program for the 2000/2001 Sugar Crop
The Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food, (SARGARPA), announced a one-time program to help the sugar industry obtain funds to pay outstanding debts for the 2000/2001 marketing year. The Mexican Federal Government will provide 1.2 billion pesos ($131 million) to sugar millers to pay outstanding debts to sugarcane producers. Sugar mills will warrant the funds through their sugar inventories with sugar deposit certificates. Bancomexico, Mexico’s EXIMBANK will manage the funds. The program is necessary because of Mexico’s over-production of sugar, which depressed prices to processors, reducing their cash flow and hence monies available to pay sugarcane producers. The Government’s program will address only about 25 percent of the problem, as the outstanding debt of sugar millers is estimated at 4.5 billion pesos.
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