It wasn’t the verdict Charles Hall envisioned. “Very surprised and very, very disappointed,” he said following Thursday’s International Trade Commission (ITC) vote on the Section 201 investigation into serious injury surrounding blueberry imports. The ITC deemed that imports of fresh, chilled or frozen blueberries are not a serious injury to the domestic industry. It goes against what members of the …
Chilling Effect: Winter Weather Impacting South Florida Vegetable Production
Cool temperatures and wet conditions are impacting South Florida’s vegetable production. According to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline, yields are way below normal. As a result, prices have been good for various crops. “Volumes have been light with yields of many items 30% to 50% of normal or less,” the hotline reported. South Florida vegetable production has numerous …
Opportunity Awaits? Blueberry Exports to China Could Be Game Changer
While the pending International Trade Commission decision regarding the case of serious injury that imports have had against blueberry growers will be pivotal for producers in Florida and Georgia, another marketing opportunity may lie with producers capitalizing on exports to China. Greg Fonsah, University of Georgia Agribusiness Extension economist, said during Friday’s Ag Forecast meeting there is a real opportunity …
Blueberry Imports a Complement to Southeastern Producers?
The Blueberry Coalition of Progress and Health contends that imports of blueberries do not take away markets from southeastern growers but complements their production. It made its case to the International Trade Commission (ITC) on Jan. 12 during a virtual hearing and continues to believe there is a big enough “blueberry pie” for all parties to benefit from. “That’s why …
Blueberry Producers Have Their Say
Blueberry growers and industry leaders in the Southeast had their say on Tuesday about unfair trade practices regarding imports from foreign countries, including Mexico. They testified during a virtual hearing with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) regarding a global safeguard investigation into fresh, chilled or frozen blueberries. Jerome Crosby, Georgia blueberry grower and chairman of the American Blueberry Growers …
U.S. Blueberry Farmers Testify to ITC of Import Harm
Blueberry farmers from across the United States are asking the ITC for temporary relief from a surge in imports that are harming the domestic industry WASHINGTON, January 12, 2021 – Members of the American Blueberry Growers Alliance (ABGA), a group representing U.S. domestic blueberry farmers, today provided information to the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) during a hearing on the …
USITC to Investigate Effect of Imports on the U.S. Cucumber and Squash Industries
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) is seeking input for two new general factfinding investigations on the effects of imported cucumbers and imported squashes on the U.S. seasonal cucumber and squash markets. The investigations, Cucumbers: Effect of Imports on U.S. Seasonal Markets, with a Focus on the U.S. Southeast, and Squash: Effect of Imports on U.S. Seasonal Markets, with a …
USDA Establishes Weekly Report to Highlight Seasonable, Perishable Product Trends
WASHINGTON, Jan. 8, 2021 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced a new data report, the U.S. Mexico Canada Agreement Seasonal Perishable Products Weekly Update, prepared in close partnership with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) and the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce). The weekly report is based on data provided by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) …
UGA Encourages Growers to Fill Out COVID-19 Survey
The University of Georgia wants feedback from producers impacted by COVID-19. Growers have until Dec. 23 to fill out a survey that will help industry leaders gauge the impact the pandemic has had on Georgia’s agricultural sector. The survey covers various facets of farming operations that have been altered since the pandemic began in mid-March. This includes commodity prices, disposal …
Georgia Pecan Producers Nearing End to Harvest Season
According to the USDA Market News Service, Georgia pecan producers are about 90% finished with harvesting this year’s crop, while prices have improved some since last week. Amid the lack of export opportunities, many growers are continuing to store their top quality and larger sized pecans in hopes of selling for better prices at a later date. Holiday retail and …