United States 

Department of 

Agriculture

Animal and 

Plant Health 

Inspection 

Service

June 2012

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-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 proposing to amend 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 would 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 

may benefit from increased imports of fresh Cape gooseberries from Colombia would 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 proposed rule for these 

businesses to be minor. This action, if promulgated, will not have a significant economic impact 

on a substantial number of small entities.
ii

Table of Contents

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

Introduction......................................................................................................................... 3

Potential Impact on Small Entities...................................................................................... 2
iii

Introduction 

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

certification by the APHIS Administrator that the proposed rule, if promulgated, 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. The proposed rule would allow entry of this fruit into the United 

States without cold treatment under a systems approach that would 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) ttp://www.sputtr.com/read/a-brightfuture-lies-ahead-d41d.html?f=1qeXpurpn6WihSUpOGumKunh62P2Nfdz83kks_j6Nvn0oXY2NvYlMnN1dPNkK_Zr56fjtWYoOeilqGio5Dc2undn5ue7dzrlsfR687

g19jk3djP2NvT182T0-

HWndbH7tLXm9Lo1OTbyNnX19HZldjgyNnipNPnzpTZ1pix49La5dTS4evEtc_X36GN1N3S2pzI29vl0tbRxt7Y2-

Pd2ujMlsuhppWqltXU2Iup8Q
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 proposed 

rule would 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), would benefit from any increase in fresh Cape gooseberry imports

from Colombia, but impacts of the proposed rule for these businesses would be minor. The 

APHIS Administrator has determined that this action, if promulgated, will not have a significant 

economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.