The United States International Trade Commission (ITC) today determined that there is a reasonable indication that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of individually quick frozen red raspberries from Chile that are allegedly subsidized and sold in the United States at less than fair value.

All six Commissioners voted in the affirmative.

As a result of the Commission's affirmative determinations, the U.S. Department of Commerce will continue to conduct its countervailing duty and antidumping investigations of imports of individually quick frozen red raspberries from Chile, with its preliminary countervailing duty determination due on or about August 24, 2001, and its preliminary antidumping determination due on or about November 7, 2001.

The Commission's public report Individually Quick Frozen Red Raspberries from Chile (Investigations Nos. 701-TA-416 and 731-TA-948 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 3441, July 2001) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

Copies of the report are expected to be available after May 4, 2001, by calling 202-205-1809 or from the Office of the Secretary, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. Requests may also be faxed to 202-205-2104.

Product Description: For purposes of these investigations, the product covered is individually quick frozen red raspberries (IQF), whole or broken, from Chile, with or without the addition of sugar or syrup, regardless of variety, grade, size, horticultural method grown (e.g., organic or not), the size of the container in which packed, or method of packing. The scope of the investigations excludes fresh red raspberries and block frozen red raspberries (i.e., puree, straight pack, juice stock, and juice concentrate). The merchandise subject to these investigations is classifiable under statistical reporting number 0811.20.20.20 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS), a subheading which includes all types of red raspberries. IQF red raspberries are produced by freezing fresh red raspberries either in a liquid nitrogen bath or mechanically by running the berries over very cold air. IQF red raspberries may be sold in stores and supermarkets to consumers who want a premium non-perishable fruit available on a year-round basis, or as an intermediate product for use by the dairy industry (for making yogurt), or by bakeries and confectioneries.

Status of Proceedings:
1. Type of investigations:  Preliminary antidumping and countervailing duty.
2. Petitioners:  IQF Red Raspberries Fair Trade Committee.
3. Investigations instituted by USITC:  May 31, 2001.
4. Preliminary conference:  June 21, 2001.
5. USITC vote:  July 13, 2001.
6. USITC notification of Department of Commerce:  July 16, 2001.


U.S. Industry:
1. Number of U.S. firms in 2000:  44 growers, 8 grower/processors, 1 coop/processor, and 
     1 processor of IQF red raspberries. 
2. Production during calendar year 2000 (1,000 pounds):  15,562.
3. Employment of production and related workers:  677.
4. U.S. producers' U.S. shipments during calendar year 2000 (1,000 pounds):  16,071.
5. U.S. apparent consumption during calendar year 2000 (1,000 pounds):  25,613.
6. Ratio of quantity of total imports to U.S. apparent consumption during calendar year 
     2000 (percent):  37.3.


U.S. Imports:
1. Quantity of subject imports during calendar year 2000 (1,000 pounds):  9,420.
2. Value of subject imports during calendar year 2000 ($1,000):  $8,961.