September 8, 2023 Folsom, CA – Today, United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai announced that India has agreed to reduce the tariff on fresh, frozen, and dried blueberries.
NABC BB #:162393 President Kasey Cronquist released the following statement in response to USTR’s announcement:
“We applaud the Biden Administration for their work to strengthen U.S. trade relations with India. India is a key market for U.S. blueberry producers, and we welcome the opportunity to bring more blueberries to Indian consumers.
“The U.S. has long faced a 30% tariff in India, which has resulted in declining market share for American blueberries against countries that have enjoyed free trade and reduced tariffs with India. The reduction in tariffs for U.S. blueberries will put American producers at a more level playing field with our competitors.
“Today’s announcement is the result of many years of work and investment by the collective U.S. blueberry industry to increase consumer demand for American grown blueberries in India. I would be remiss not to acknowledge the growers on the West Coast who were the early drivers in bringing U.S. blueberries to India. In 2017, the Washington Blueberry Commission (WBC) secured a Specialty Crop Block Grant that laid important groundwork for what became an industry-wide effort to lower the tariff in India. I commend the WBC and all of our state organization partners for their leadership in developing the market for blueberries in India and for their continued partnership on this effort.
“Our growers and marketers have fostered a special connection with their Indian customers and we are excited to see these connections strengthen going forward with the newly reduced tariffs. This is not only great news for U.S. blueberries, it is surely welcomed news by Indian consumers who have grown to love the consistent and unparalleled quality of U.S. blueberries.”
About NABC: Since 1965, the North American Blueberry Council (NABC) has been the voice of the blueberry industry in the U.S. and Canada. NABC’s members represent approximately 70% of the North American highbush blueberry crop. NABC was instrumental in the establishment of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC), a federal agriculture research and promotion program with independent oversight from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Learn more at https://nabc.blueberry.org/
Contact: Kristy Babb
916-983-2279
kbabb@nabcblues.org
