Blueberry growers in British Columbia are eager to hear the outcome of a decision by the United States International Trade Commission (USITC) this week on the question of whether U.S. blueberry growers have been hurt by imports from countries like Canada.

The statement includes a claim by the National Farmers Union that between 2015 and 2019, producers' operating yields fell 32,4 percent. The statement names Canada, along with Mexico, Peru, Chile and Argentina as countries responsible for the increase in imports to the US.

But according to Anju Gill, executive director of the BC Blueberry Council, that increase did not come from British Columbia, which grows about 95 percent of Canada's tall blueberries. There is a wild blueberry industry based in eastern Canada.

Gill added that British Columbia and the US share a very close relationship when it comes to blueberries, with a uniform, reciprocal amount of berries crossing the border in both directions most years.

BC growers produce about 95 percent of the country's tall blueberries, according to the BC Blueberry Council. (Rafferty Baker / CBC)

He said BC produces an average of around 73 million kilograms of blueberries each year, about 70 percent of which is exported. US shipments account for about two-thirds of exports, according to Gill.

The USITC process is what is known as a global Article 201 safeguard investigation. Unlike World Trade Organization disputes, it is conducted by an agency within the US government and does not analyze Conditions like subsidies that make international trade unfair, only if a US industry is suffering as a result of imports.

Gill said the news of the investigation came as a surprise last fall and has kept her busy.

“It's a big problem, it requires a lot of resources. It's a very short investigation, and from my perspective, I have to be very involved and it moves very quickly,” she said, adding that she made presentations and there was a hearing last month. .

After that hearing, Gill said he has no idea where the commission is leaning, and looks forward to Thursday's decision, regardless of who it favors.

“Is it stressful? I mean, the business will continue. You know, if tariffs or quotas are imposed on Canadian industry, obviously that's not something we expect, but we have to deal with it as it comes and goes."