CANBERRA: SPC Ardmona has welcomed a recommendation from Australia’s Anti-Dumping Commission that duties be imposed on two Italian tomato exporters after they illegally ‘dumped’ canned tomatoes in Australia.
The Statement of Essential Facts (SEF) by the Anti-Dumping Commission (ADC), released on Friday, has found that imported processed tomatoes from two Italian companies (Feger and La Doria) have been illegally dumped in Australia. The Commissioner is recommending preliminary dumping duties be imposed at margins of 7.5 per cent and 5.1pc.
Feger and La Doria’s exports represent approximately half of the imported Italian tomatoes in Australia. In SPC’s previous case, the ADC found that 103 of 105 Italian tomato exporters were found to be dumping.
“This decision is critical, not just for SPC but for Australia’s manufacturing industry and food processing sector,” SPC managing director Reg Weine said in a statement.
“The future of Australia’s food processing sector, horticulture industry and the livelihood of Australian farmers is being undermined as more and more cheap imports flood the market and find their way onto supermarket shelves.” In its SEF, the ADC has acknowledged the impact EU subsidies are having on Italian canned tomato prices.
SPC says since 2010, the illegal dumping of tomato products has resulted in material damage to SPC including reduced margins and declining profitability. SPC says it has struggled to compete on price with these heavily subsidised dumped Italian tomatoes.
“It is pleasing to see that the ADC has made a decision that supports regional industry and jobs. The Australian government now has the time to consider this report and make a final decision. I trust that as they do this, they will also put the appropriate measures in place to ensure duties are uniformly applied,” Mr Weine said. Industry group, Ausveg also welcomed the recommendation from the ADC.
“The Anti-Dumping Commission’s recommendation is great news for Australian vegetable and potato growers struggling against cheap, inferior foreign imports and rising production costs,” Ausveg deputy CEO Andrew White said in a statement.
