United States 

Department of 

Agriculture

Animal and 

Plant Health 

Inspection 

Service

October, 2013

Analysis in Support of Certification that the 

Rule will not have a Significant Economic 

Impact on a Substantial Number of Small 

Entities

Final Rule

APHIS-2012-0038

RIN 0579-AD79

Importation of cape gooseberry fruit from 

Colombia into the United States under a 

systems approach (7 CFR 319.56)

Policy & Program Development

Policy Analysis & Development
i

Summary

APHIS is amending the current regulations to allow the entry of fresh cape gooseberries 

from Colombia under a systems approach. Since 2003, Colombia has been allowed to export 

fresh cape gooseberries to the United States under a cold treatment protocol to prevent the entry

of the Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly). The systems approach will permit cape gooseberry

imports without cold treatment from production sites recognized as free of Medfly. In 2011, 

only about 0.2 percent (14 metric tons) of Colombia’s fresh cape gooseberry exports were 

shipped to the United States, valued at about $90,300.

The United States does not produce cape gooseberry commercially. Small entities that 

will benefit from increased imports of fresh cape gooseberries from Colombia will be importers, 

wholesalers, and other merchants who sell this fruit. While these industries are primarily

comprised of small entities, APHIS expects any impacts of the rule for these businesses to be 

minor. This action will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 

entities.
ii

Table of Contents

Summary.............................................................................................................................. i

Introduction......................................................................................................................... 1

Potential Impact on Small Entities...................................................................................... 2
1

Introduction

This analysis provides the basis, as required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act, for 

certification by the APHIS Administrator that the rule will not have a significant economic 

impact on a substantial number of small entities.

Currently, cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana) fruit imported from Colombia is 

required to be cold treated for the Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly), the only quarantine pest 

identified for this pathway. This rule will allow entry of this fruit into the United States without 

cold treatment under a systems approach that will entail production in Colombian municipalities 

recognized as free of Medfly.

Colombia has been exporting fresh cape gooseberries to the United States since 2003. In 

2006, Colombia produced approximately 12,000 metric tons (MT) of cape gooseberries on 800 

hectares of land.1 Most of Colombia’s cape gooseberry production is exported, principally to the 

Netherlands and Germany. In 2011, Colombia exported fresh cape gooseberry totaling about 

6,900 MT and valued at about $27 million. Of the total quantity exported, the United States 

received only 0.2 percent (14 MT). The Netherlands and Germany received about 73 percent 

and 19 percent, respectively, valued at over $24 million (table 1). The United States does not 

produce cape gooseberry commercially.

 

1 Bayer Crop Science, Colombian exotic fruits, A bright future lies ahead (2006).
2

Table 1. Destination, value, and quantity of Colombia’s cape gooseberry exports, 2011

Destination Value 

(Dollars)

Quantity

(Metric Tons)

World 26,939,080 6,899

The Netherlands 18,952,003 5,011

Germany 5,557,253 1297

Canada 646,071 157

France 597,000 135

Belgium 395,212 87

Brazil 244,739 70

United States 90,306 14

Other 456,496 128

Source: Global Trade Information Services, Inc.

Potential Impact on Small Entities

Since the United States does not commercially produce cape gooseberries, the rule will 

not directly impact U.S. fruit farmers. U.S. importers and wholesalers of cape gooseberries, 

businesses categorized within the fresh fruit and vegetable merchant wholesale industry (NAICS 

424480), will benefit from an increase in fresh cape gooseberry imports from Colombia, but 

impacts of the rule for these businesses will be minor. We received no comments pertaining to 

the initial economic analysis of this rule. The APHIS Administrator has determined that this 

action will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.