United States 

Department of 

Agriculture

Animal and 

Plant Health 

Inspection 

Service

May 2014

Analysis in Support of Certification that the 

Rule will not have a Significant Economic 

Impact on a Substantial Number of Small 

Entities

Proposed Rule

APHIS-2014-0002

RIN 0579-[XXXX]

Importation of Kiwi from Chile into the 

United States

Policy & Program Development

Policy Analysis & Development
1

APHIS is proposing to amend the fruits and vegetables regulations to list kiwi (Actinidia

deliciosa and Actinidia chinensis) from Chile as eligible for importation into the United States 

subject to a systems approach to pest risk mitigation. The systems approach, which integrates 

prescribed measures that cumulatively achieve the appropriate level of phytosanitary protection, 

would be the same that is currently applicable for the entry of baby kiwi (Actinidia arguta) from 

Chile. Kiwi from Chile is currently listed as enterable subject to inspection in Chile or treatment

with methyl bromide. 

Production, consumption, and trade of kiwi by the United States have been expanding 

and are expected to continue to increase, as shown in table 1. Over the five years, 2008 through 

2012, U.S. kiwi production and imports expanded by about 29 percent and 24 percent, 

respectively, and U.S. exports by 48 percent. U.S. consumption of kiwi grew by about 23 

percent over this same period.

The United States is dependent on imports for the major share of its kiwi supply. In 

2012, nearly four of every five kiwis consumed were imported. Chile is the principal foreign 

source, supplying one-half of the kiwis imported by the United States in 2012, up from 

approximately one-third of U.S. kiwi imports in 2008. Chile is expected to continue to dominate 

the supply of kiwi to the United States in the near term. Under the proposed rule, Chile’s kiwi 

exporters would have the option of using the systems approach rather than relying on inspection 

of the fruit in Chile or fumigation with methyl bromide to meet import requirements.

Although the United States is a net importer of kiwi, the percentage increase in U.S. kiwi 

exports, 2008-2012, was twice the percentage increase in U.S. kiwi imports; U.S. producers are 

actively expanding their sales to other countries. We also note that kiwi imports from Chile are 

largely counter-seasonal to kiwi sales by domestic producers. California produces 98 percent the 
2

kiwis grown in the United States, and the California season runs October through May.1 Kiwi

from Chile is predominantly imported during the spring and summer months. Ninety-four 

percent of Chilean kiwi imported in 2012 arrived between April and September.2

 

1 California Kiwifruit Commission, http://www.kiwifruit.org/about/availability.aspx.

2 Based on U.S. Census data, as reported by Global Trade Information Services, Inc.

3 California Kiwifruit Commission, http://www.kiwifruit.org/about/availability.aspx

Table 1. U.S. kiwi production, imports, exports, and consumption, and kiwi imports from Chile, 

2008 and 2012, metric tons

2008 20121 Percentage Increase

over 5 years 

U.S. Production 20,865 26,853 28.7%

U.S. Imports 50,322 62,372 23.9%

U.S. Exports 6,883 10,204 48.2%

U.S. Consumption 2 64,304 79,021 22.9%

U.S. Imports from Chile 17,248 31,668 83.6%

Chile’s Share of Imports 34.3% 50.8%

Imports from Chile as a 

Percentage of U.S. 

Consumption

26.8% 40.1%

Sources: For U.S. production, the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization; for U.S. imports and exports, the 

U.S. Census Bureau, as reported by Global Trade Information Services, Inc.

1 U.S. kiwi production data for 2012 are the most recently reported.

2 U.S. consumption calculated as production plus imports minus exports. 

Although kiwi production in the United States is expanding, it remains a relatively 

small agricultural industry, with fewer than 300 growers whose farms average about 13 

acres.3 Nevertheless, it is a vibrant industry with an expanding export market. This fact, 

together with the counter-seasonality of kiwi imports from Chile, suggests that the 

economic impact of the proposed rule for U.S. small entities would be minor. If 

promulgated, the proposed rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial 

number of small entities.
3