U.S. anti-dumping duties could lead to excess lemon juice stocks in South Africa

Trade data shows that U.
S.
lemon juice imports increased from 7.
4 million litres in 2019 to 29.
8 million litres in 2021, while imports increased from $4 million in 2019 to $11.
2 million in 2021
, south African independent media website reported on Sept.
7.
The Commerce Department said it had previously received an anti-dumping duty petition from Ventura about lemon juice
imported from South Africa.
Ventura Coastal demanded an anti-dumping duty of 128.
61 per cent on lemon juice exported from South Africa and 555.
22 per cent on Brazil
.
A survey of South Africa's Cape Fruit Processors showed a dumping rate of 55.
67%.
The Juice Association of South Africa said South African producers had a competitive advantage
in the U.
S.
market due to the low tariffs under the African Growth and Opportunity Act.
The industry is concerned that anti-dumping duties will lead to an oversupply of lemon juice, and excess lemon juice will have to be transferred to smaller markets, increasing the likelihood of anti-dumping action in these markets
.