Mexico extends deadline in apple dumping inquiry

05/02/2015 12:00 - 574 Views

YAKIMA, Wash. — U.S. exporters have been given more time to complete questionnaires related to allegations that they dumped apples in Mexico during the 2013-2014 sales season.

Meanwhile, they continue to ship apples to Mexico as part of the current 2014-2015 sales season.

The Chihuahua apple growers association, UNIFRUT, filed a complaint in the Mexican federal register Dec. 4 alleging U.S. shippers, mostly from Washington, sold apples in Mexico during 2013 at less than fair value, damaging Mexican growers.

U.S. shippers were initially given until Jan. 29 to respond to a questionnaire from the Mexican Ministry of Economia seeking details on production costs and sales prices. The ministry could impose anti-dumping duties or even close the market if it decides apples were dumped, but the process to do that or dismiss the allegations will likely take months.

Northwest Fruit Exporters, a nonprofit corporation in Yakima managing export procedures for apples and cherries, petitioned the Ministry of Economia for a 20-day extension of the questionnaire deadline and was granted 10 days, said Fred Scarlett, NFE manager. The new deadline is Feb. 13.

“My understanding is many shippers are working on them. One shipper told me he thought they were done two weeks ago and then had more to do,” Scarlett said.

He said he initially expected 30 to 40 Washington shippers to respond to the questionnaire but doesn’t know how many are since they send completed forms directly to the Mexican ministry. NFE recommends they route them through their attorneys first, he said.

If shippers can show they didn’t dump apples, they shouldn’t face added duties, he has said.

Shippers from other states have exported to Mexico in recent years but he doesn’t know if any did in the 2013-2014 season, Scarlett said.

With a huge 2014 crop and overseas exports severely hindered by a work slowdown at West Coast ports, Washington shippers are maintaining a good shipment pace to Mexico this season.

Season-to-date shipments to Mexico, as of Jan. 31, stand at 4 million boxes, said Rebecca Lyons, export marketing director of the Washington Apple Commission in Wenatchee. Commission President Todd Fryhover has said the industry would like to ship about 14 million boxes there this season. The peak was 13.6 million in 2012 when Washington had its second largest crop.

Source: Capital Press