Injured by Imports: U.S. Blueberry Industry Speaks Out
January 21, 2021 U.S. blueberry growers had a big day on Jan. 12, particularly those from the Southeast. It was their chance to testify before the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) on the unfair foreign trade practices that are devastating their market window. The hearings (held virtually) were part of an ongoing ITC Section 201 Global Safeguard investigation into the magnitude of foreign blueberry imports into the U.S. and the extent of damage it is causing domestic growers.
Florida’s Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried was among those who testified before the Commission. In her testimony, she noted: “I thank you for allowing me the opportunity to speak today, as Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture, on behalf of our state’s $62.3 million blueberry industry that has seen its market share decline by 538% from its high in 2015. To put that in perspective, that’s a total loss of $67 million in potential value of production. Yet, since Mexican blueberries entered the U.S. market in 2009, its market share has seen an increase of 2,100%…”
Fried also pointed out the increasing imports from Peru, Chile, Argentina, and Canada. All of which further supports recommendations from the ITC to the new Biden administration for actions to protect domestic blueberry growers.
Brittany Lee, a Waldo, FL-based grower and Executive Director of the Florida Blueberry Growers Association, also testified. She noted: “As a result of Mexican imports, we’ve experienced significant decline in price per pound for fresh blueberries in Florida. For example, in 2016, we saw prices in the first week of April (week 15) that were as high as $8.23 per pound; but in 2020, the week 15 price was less than half of that, at only $3.45 per pound. This data is based on a report published by Agronometrics for the Florida market, so it’s not just my data.
“What drove the price decline in the face of growing demand? All you need to know is that in 2016 there were 15.1 million pounds of Mexican blueberries that came into the market during Florida’s window of March through May. But by 2020, the imports in Mexico increased to 51.68 million pounds during the same window.”
After the hearings, Lee said she felt the those testifying in favor of safeguards, put forth a good case. “We’re pleased with how the hearing went, and I feel we presented a strong argument to the commissioners on the clear injury imports have caused to our domestic market,” she said.
“If facts prevail, I’m optimistic the ITC will vote in our favor on February 11.”
If the ITC votes that indeed injury has occurred, hearing will then be held on the appropriate remedies the U.S. administration should take. By mid-March, a final report on recommended remedies will be supplied to the ITC commissioners.
March 19 has been set as the approximate date for commissioners to vote on remedies. From there, the recommended remedies will be turned over to the president for consideration and action.
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