Mexico celebrates favorable U.S. ruling on blueberry imports

US imports of blueberries, including those from Mexico, do not represent serious injury or threat of serious injury to the US industry.

Mexico celebrates favorable U.S. ruling on blueberry imports
Mexican blueberry imports are subject to a favorable U.S. finding. Photo: Jeff Kubina via Flickr

The Mexican government welcomed the United States International Trade Commission's (USITC) determination that imports of blueberries from Mexico are not causing injury or threatening Mexican industry.

In December 2020, the U.S. International Trade Commission initiated a global safeguard investigation to determine whether imports of fresh or frozen Mexican blueberries increased in a quantity such that they would be a substantial cause of injury or a potential threat to the U.S. industry.

Through a joint statement, the Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development and Economy said that this Thursday the USITC voted in the sense that imports of blueberries, including those from Mexico, "do not represent serious injury or threat of serious injury to the US industry, demonstrating that Mexican exports complement domestic production and help consumers in that country have access to this product throughout the year".

In 2019, the blueberry industry exported US$291 million to the United States and supported more than 60,000 workers.

The Mexican government reiterated "its willingness to continue working closely with its T-MEC trading partners to strengthen North America's productive integration and boost the region's economic recovery."

In this sense, the National Agricultural Council and blueberry producers, led by the National Association of Berry Exporters, also celebrated the USITC ruling and expressed their appreciation to the Mexican government and producers for working together to maintain a "strong and growing agri-food sector, which is reflected in the welfare of producers and consumers in the North American region."