On Sept. 10, California Citrus Mutual (CCM) commended the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) for the actions they recently announced to address the injury caused by increased imports of seasonal and perishable products. The federal Report on Seasonal and Perishable Products in U.S. Commerce was announced earlier this month.
Low-priced imports have previously caused a substantial market disruption for the California citrus industry during its marketing season. CCM is encouraged by both the Trump administration’s plan and its determination to bring relief to fruit and vegetable growers who are suffering from similar import issues.
The trade remedy steps announced include:
- The self-initiation of Section 201 global safeguard action on certain imports
- USTR’s coordination with specific sectors to monitor and investigate imports under the Section 201 provisions covering perishable agricultural products and citrus products
- DOC’s coordination with affected sectors on possible self-initiated antidumping and countervailing duty actions
- The administration’s indication that still other actions and investigations may be taken.
These steps are essential in safeguarding and supporting all U.S. fruit and vegetable growers harmed by this problem.
In 2017, low-priced citrus imports from the Southern Hemisphere increased 40 percent over the prior year’s shipments, causing significant price declines and harm to California growers. California Citrus Mutual will closely monitor imports in the coming season and continue to coordinate with the U.S. government regarding any import surges, unfair import practices and injury to citrus growers.
Florida Citrus Mutual also expressed support for the federal plan to address import issues; read more here.
Source: California Citrus Mutual