U.S. Final Dumping Ruling
on Chinese Apple Juice Should Help Firm Domestic Prices
for Apple Products
On Thursday, April 6, the
U.S. Department of Commerce announced final antidumping
duties on concentrated apple juice (CAJ) imports from
China. Dumping margins were established between 0 percent
and 52 percent, down slightly from the November
preliminary calculation of 55 percent. Correspondingly,
the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) conducted a
final hearing Monday, April 10, regarding domestic
industry injury, and will issue its final decision by May
22. Although overall U.S. CAJ imports this season (from
July 1999 to January 2000) were up 8 percent, imports
from China decreased 72 percent. Moreover, there is some
indication that domestic prices for apples and apple
products are firming up. Industry sources in the Pacific
Northwest report that, as of March 15, season to date
fresh average apple prices are $17 per 42 pound standard
box compared to $14 per box during the same period last
season. Prices for juice apples in the northwest this
season are estimated around $120 per ton, compared to an
average of $40 per ton in 1998/99.
Coffee Producers Develop
Plan to Control Coffee Supplies
On April 5, the Association
of Coffee Producing Countries (ACPC) recommended at a
technical meeting that the ACPC Council adopt plans for a
coffee retention scheme. The ACPC is proposing the
retention plan in an effort to control the supplies of
coffee in the market in an attempt to raise sagging
coffee prices. Prices for Brazilian arabicas in March
dropped nearly 18 percent from the December price.
Reports indicate that the retention plan is similar to a
scheme adopted by the ACPC in 1993 and would be triggered
when prices fell below certain levels. Although no
specific details of the plan were released, the technical
meeting members are submitting the proposal to the
14-member country ACPC Council on May 8 and 9, for
implementation from June 1, 2000.
Recent Opening of Yemeni
Apple Market Should Further Boost U.S. Export
Opportunities in the Middle East
According to the
Agricultural Trade Officer headquartered in Riyadh, the
Government of Yemen issued a decree lifting the import
ban on fresh apples, effective March 23, 2000. This
development follows longstanding FAS efforts to secure
access to this market. Apple production in Yemen remains
very limited (about 2,000 tons annually), with domestic
supplies generally available for a very short time (mid
May through July). As such, Yemen shows significant
potential as a market for U.S. apples. In fact,
significant quantities of apples have been entering the
country via Saudi Arabia for several years through
unofficial channels. U.S. fresh apple exports to the
Middle East have increased considerably in recent years.
In calendar year 1999, U.S. apple shipments to the region
totaled nearly 60,000 tons, valued at $31 million, up 56
percent in volume and 39 percent in value from exports in
1995. It is estimated that U.S. apple sales to Yemen
could approach $8 million by 2005.
Washington State Vineyard
Plantings Double in Size in Six Years
Total wine grape acreage in
Washington state’s wine appellations has increased
from 11,100 acres in 1993 to 24,806 acres in 1999,
according to a USDA study. Wine grapes are now the fourth
most important fruit crop in the state, after apples,
cherries, and pears. Despite the increased acreage, the
demand for Washington wines is greater than the grape
supply. The growing demand for red wine has led to some
important shifts in plantings from white to red wine
grapes, with red acreage now exceeding white acreage. In
1999, 6 percent of Washington’s wine production was
exported. Canada, the United Kingdom, and Japan are the
state’s top export markets. The Washington Wine
Commission participates in the MAP program through the
Northwest Wine Coalition. In 1999, total U.S. wine
exports reached a record $540.9 million (2.8 million
hectoliters), up 2 percent by value from the previous
year.
