Mexico dumps apple duties on U.S. imports

Mexico’s Ministry of Economy has made its final determination on an antidumping case filed by its domestic apple growers. In its review, the ministry found that U.S. apple imports did not cause injury to the domestic industry, and it has terminated the antidumping investigation on imports of U.S. apples without the imposition of antidumping duties. It also revoked the provisional duties that were previously enacted, ranging from 2.44-20.82 percent, according to the Washington Apple Commission (WAC).

Fred Scarlett of Northwest Fruit Exporters, the organization involved in coordinating industry defense efforts, emphasized that the favorable outcome to Washington state shippers was the result of industry preparedness and a thorough response to all of the information requested by the Mexican Ministry of Economy.

“Our industry knows the importance of the Mexican market,” Scarlett said. “Industry efforts to fully comply with all information requested, and the united response proved to the Ministry of Economia that there was no injury caused to Chihuahua growers by our exports.”

In December 2014, the investigation was opened by a request from the Regional Fruit Producers Association from the State of Chihuahua against the producers and exporters of apples from the United States, alleging that U.S. apples were sold in Mexico below the cost of production and injured domestic apple growers.

The United States is the primary supplier of imported apples to Mexico, with Washington accounting for roughly 90 percent of the total U.S. shipments. Mexico is the largest export market for Washington apples. During the 2013/14 season that was investigated, more than 11 million 40-pound cartons worth $230 million were shipped there. Mexico accounts for 27 percent of all Washington apple exports and approximately 9 percent of the total crop, according to WAC.