Great Lakes Wire

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) on June 2 announced that the U.S. International Trade Commission will begin tracking foreign imports of certified organic and conventionally produced tart cherry juice and tart cherry juice concentrate, and all other varieties of cherry juice, in order to more accurately measure the impact of trade on Michigan’s tart cherry industry. 

In March, Peters and Stabenow urged the Commission to track this information in the wake of unfair and rising import competition of tart cherry juice harming Michigan producers. Michigan grows more than 75% of the nation’s tart cherries with an annual crop valued at $280 million, supporting hundreds of processing and retail jobs and a vibrant tourism industry in Northwest Michigan. 

“For years, Michigan cherry growers have been harmed by unfair trade practices that threaten their livelihoods and hurt workers,” said Senator Peters. “They deserve a level playing field. After pushing for this needed change, I’m pleased the ITC will now collect all available information on these imports so that our growers have a fair shot at competing on the world stage.”

“Michigan’s world-famous tart cherries are a central piece of our ag economy,” said Senator Stabenow. “But this industry cannot continue to flourish in the face of unfair and unaccountable competition from foreign producers. Today’s announcement is a welcome step toward ensuring an even playing field for our Michigan growers.” 

“The new categories for tracking imported cherry juice/concentrate are very important for the U.S. tart cherry industry,” said President and Managing Director of the Cherry Marketing Institute Julie Gordon. “The new reporting will provide us specific information that was not previously available and will help us develop strategies for dealing with the influx of imports. We are grateful that the 484(f) Committee granted our request for the new codes and for the continued support from Senator Peters and Senator Stabenow.”

In 2020, Peters and Stabenow similarly urged the U.S. International Trade Commission to collect statistical information on dried cherry imports after Turkish exporters continued to dump low-quality dried cherries into U.S. markets, creating a trade imbalance that hurt Michigan growers. The Senators’ request was approved and went into effect in July 2020.

Peters has long been an advocate for Michigan’s tart cherry industry and growers of other specialty crops, and has repeatedly pressed to improve trade policies to ensure Michigan farmers can compete in the global marketplace.

A link to the March letter can be found here.

Original source can be found here