Blueberry growers’ operating returns fell 32.4% between 2015 and 2019 because of rising imports.
The U.S. International Trade Commission on Feb. 11 ruled that imported blueberries aren’t causing substantial injury to U.S. producers. “As a result, the investigation will end, and the commission will not recommend a remedy to the president,” the ITC states in a brief statement.
The “Section 201” investigation was requested last year by the U.S. Trade Representative. The top U.S. blueberry imports are from Canada, Chile, Mexico and Peru. Under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada agreement, both Canada and Mexico have the ability to immediate impose retaliatory duties equal to the amount imposed by the United States.