The United States International Trade Commission (ITC) today determined that an industry in the United States is materially injured by reason of imports of honey from Argentina and China that the Department of Commerce has determined are sold in the United States at less than fair value, and those from Argentina that are also subsidized.

All six Commissioners voted in the affirmative.

As a result of the Commission's affirmative determinations, the U.S. Department of Commerce will issue antidumping and countervailing duty orders on imports of this product from Argentina and an antidumping duty order on imports of this product from China.

The Commerce Department previously made an affirmative critical circumstances determination with respect to imports of honey from China. Therefore, the Commissioners who made affirmative determinations today are required to determine whether those imports are likely to undermine seriously the remedial effect of the antidumping duty order Commerce will issue. The Commission made an affirmative determination regarding critical circumstances. Commissioners Lynn M. Bragg, Marcia E. Miller, and Dennis M. Devaney made affirmative critical circumstances determinations; Chairman Stephen Koplan, Vice Chairman Deanna Tanner Okun, and Commissioner Jennifer A. Hillman made negative critical circumstances determinations. As a result of the Commission's affirmative determination regarding critical circumstances, the antidumping duty order concerning these imports will apply to goods that entered the United States 90 days prior to May 11, 2001, the date of publication in the Federal Register of the Department of Commerce's affirmative preliminary determination.

The Commission's public report Honey from Argentina and China (Invs. Nos. 701-TA-402 and 731-TA-892-893 (Final), USITC Publication 3470, November 2001) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

Copies may be obtained after December 6, 2001, by calling 202-205-1809 or from the Office of the Secretary, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. Requests may also be made by fax to 202- 205-2104.

Product Description: For purposes of these investigations, the products covered consist of natural honey, artificial honey containing more than 50 percent natural honey by weight, preparations of natural honey containing more than 50 percent natural honey by weight, and flavored honey. The subject products include all grades and colors of honey whether in liquid, creamed, comb, cut comb, or chunk form, and whether packaged for retail or in bulk form. The merchandise subject to these investigations is provided for in subheadings 0409.00.00, 1702.90.90, and 2106.90.99 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States.

Status of Proceedings:

1.  Types of investigations: Final antidumping (China and Argentina) and final countervailing
       duty (Argentina).
2.  Petitioners: American Honey Producers Association, Bruce, South Dakota, and the Sioux Honey
       Association, Sioux City, Iowa.
3.  Investigations instituted by USITC: September 29, 2000.
4.  Hearing: October 3, 2001.
5.  USITC vote: November 7, 2001.
6.  USITC notification of Department of Commerce: November 19, 2001.

U.S. Industry:

1.  Number of U.S. firms in 2000: over 100,000 beekeepers; 350 beekeeper/packers; 110 independent
       packers.
2.  Production during 2000: 221 million pounds.
3.  U.S. apparent consumption during 2000: 419 million pounds.
4.  Share of total imports to U.S. apparent consumption during 2000: 47.3 percent.

U.S. Imports:

1.  Quantity of subject imports during 2000: 157.9 million pounds.
2.  Landed, duty-paid value of subject imports during 2000: $72.3 million.