Two more Italian tomato exporters investigated for dumping

Vegetable producers and processors have welcomed an announcement that the Anti-Dumping Commission will investigate the alleged dumping of canned tomatoes in Australia by two Italian importers.

After SPC Ardmona lodged an application, an investigation has been launched into tomatoes exported from Italy by Feger di Gerardo Ferraioli SpA and La Doria SpA.

“This investigation is welcome news for Australia’s vegetable and potato industries which have struggled to compete against cheap processed foreign produce,” said AUSVEG spokesperson Andrew White.

“As the nation’s agricultural sector continues to shift towards a focus on free markets and international trade, it has become particularly important that Australian vegetable and potato growers and local processors are able to compete on an equal footing with their international counterparts.”

A 2014 investigation found that 103 of 105 Italian tomato exporters were found to be illegally dumping their products in Australia. Dumping duties were imposed on these companies.

The Anti-Dumping Commission’s commitment to investigating the remaining two exporters is “positive news”, White says.

“We are hopeful that this new investigation will further discourage foreign businesses that are exporting to Australia from dumping cheap produce here and hurting local growers and processors,” said White.

In its submission to the Anti-Dumping Commission, SPC Ardmona estimated that the Italian processed tomato industry received approximately AU$1.2 billion in subsidies from 2010 to 2014 under Europe’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

AUSVEG says the CAP could have a significant impact on Australian growers, with vegetable imports from Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain and France having increased “substantially” since 2007-08.