In early October 2020, US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer requested that the International Trade Commission conduct a global safeguard investigation 201 to find out whether increased blueberry imports had hurt domestic producers . The decision will be made this Thursday, February 11. Since the beginning of the investigation, the producers have joined in the American Blueberry Growers Alliance (ABGA), whose purpose is to represent the interests of blueberry growers established in the United States.

Jerome Crosby, president of the ABGA executive committee, explains: “Prior to the creation of the ABGA last year, there was no organization that represented only blueberry growers based in the United States. We are proud to fill that gap and are starting to expand our member base. We want to ensure that the U.S. blueberry sector remains healthy and robust so that American families can continue to choose domestically produced blueberries. For that reason, we will continue to serve as a unified voice to advocate for American blueberry farmers, even after the International Trade Commission investigation is concluded.”

Seasons and prices

The blueberry harvest in the United States can begin as early as February in California and Florida, moving north and west and concluding in October in Michigan, Oregon and Washington. "Imported blueberries used to stop entering the United States when we started harvesting, but that's not the case anymore," Crosby shares. «Now, imports enter our market in all our harvest seasons and are sold below our price level. "Current blueberry prices are lower than they have been this year, which is attributed to the increase in imports," she adds.

Because the cost of labor and production is higher in the United States, producers cannot compete with the prices of imported blueberries, Crosby explains. "This happens with all imports, both those from foreign companies and those from American companies that produce outside the country," she points out.

Apart from the price level, the timing of the arrival of imports is also a challenge. «Imports during our shoulder season have a huge influence on the entire seasonal profitability. Sales during these seasons can represent a significant share of farmers' income and profits. The prices of the intermediate season set the starting point of the price curve of the season, so if the prices of the intermediate season are low – due to the presence in the market of a considerable imported supply – they will only cause them to decrease as the season progresses,” explains Crosby.

Import volumes grow

In addition to the price of imported blueberries, Crosby comments that the volumes in which they are imported are also part of the challenge. «Blueberry imports into the United States have increased enormously in recent years, almost 62%. In 2015, 192 million kilos were imported, which rose to more than 310 million kilos in 2019. Between 2015 and 2019, blueberry imports from Peru grew by 816% and those from Mexico, by 116%," he details. While gathering evidence for the investigation, the National Farmers Union indicated in a letter that producers' operating yields had declined by 32,4% during that period.

Desired measure: temporary relief for domestic producers

If an affirmative injury determination is issued on February 11, the president of the United States will determine what remedies should be applied. "We are not asking for a ban on the importation of blueberries," clarifies Crosby. “We need temporary relief during our critical harvest season and protection during our production periods. This will give American blueberry growers time to invest in new varieties that are better suited to mechanized harvesting, harvesters themselves, and field protection. It will also give us time to develop alternatives to the structure of the sector and other initiatives to make the national sector more competitive," he explains.

While the president decides what remedies to apply, Crosby believes it is a bipartisan issue. "President Biden often speaks about the importance of securing domestic supply chains and buying American, including his recent signing of an executive order directing the federal government to purchase from American producers. “We look forward to working with the Biden Administration in hopes of bringing this idea to the broader economy,” says Crosby.

The cranberry industry is important to the livelihoods of many Americans, according to Crosby. “Blueberries generate millions of dollars of economic benefits to rural communities, from full- and part-time workers to indirect benefits such as the purchase of agricultural inputs, processing and distribution services. If America's blueberry growers are forced out of business, entire communities will suffer. Measures such as limiting imported volumes, tariffs or minimum prices will give us the means to compete on equal terms once protections are removed, and are fundamental for the long-term viability of our sector," she concludes.