JAKARTA: Indonesia's canned pineapple exporters potentially elude Australia's antidumping-import duty, as there is no proof of price-dumping practices.
 Trade Security Director of Directorate General of Foreign Trades at Trade Ministry Ernawati revealed that Australia Customs Service (ACS) issued their preliminary determination on that issue, on August 3

 The document noted that PT Great Giant Pineapple isn’t proven to do dumping price over canned pineapple numbered HS 2008.20.00.

 “And now, the authorities is proposing the termination of investigation to Australia’s Home Affairs Ministry,” Ernawati said in Jakarta yesterday.

 The case broke out on April 13, as ACS initiated an investigation sponsored by Australian-based canned pineapple industry; Golden Circle Limited.

 Golden Circle claimed that it had suffered loss caused by the invasion of canned pineapple from Indonesia. The same action was conducted to Thailand exporters in 2010 investigation.

 Three Indonesia-based companies are accused for the dumping practice, namely PT Great Giant Pineapple, PT Buatama Indojaya, and PT Inni Pioneer Food Industry.
 Nevertheless, investigation by Directorate of Trade Security showed that Buatama Indojaya only focuses on local area for marketing its products. Meanwhile, Inni Pioneer has no longer exported to Australia within a period of time.

 “Automatically, the charge attacks PT Great Giant Pineapple,” Ernawati said.
 There are two types of canned pineapple proposed by ACS, namely consumer pineapple and food service and industrial (FSI) pineapple.

 The alleged dumping margin on Indonesia’s consumer pineapple, according to Ernawati, is within of 66%-126%, while Thailand only of 9%-10%. Meanwhile, Indonesia's FSI pineapple is set with 112% of dumping margin.

 She greatly welcomed for the preliminary determination, so the disruption risk for Indonesia’s pineapple export to Australia can be minimized. “However, we are still waiting for the termination process in Australia.”

 Glass export

 On the other hand, Australia has also freed the imposed antidumping duty on Indonesia’s float glass products exported by PT Mulia Glass and PT Asahimas Flat Glass Tbk as well as other glass exporters.

 Nevertheless, the decision hasn’t finalized yet as the Australian player has proposed an appeal over the decision and has urged Trade Measures Review Officer (TMRO) to reassess the findings.

 “They give us opportunity to respond the issue by August 29. Even though the finding is still reviewed, the final result seems to be similar [to pinapple anti-dumping case], that we are free from the charge,” she said.(t01/ags)