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COM (84) 071 
 
 
 
Vol. 1984/0027 
  
 
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concernant l'ouverture au public des archives historiques de la Communauté économique 
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In accordance with Council Regulation (EEC, Euratom) No 354/83 of 1 February 1983 
concerning the openi ng to the public of the historical archives of the European Econom ic 
Community and the European Atomic Energy Communit y (OJ L 43, 15.2.1983, p. 1), as 
amended by Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1700/2003 of 22 September 2003 (OJ L 243, 
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file have been declassified in conformity with Article 5 of the aforementioned regulation.  
In Übereinstimmung mit der Verordnung (EWG, Euratom) Nr. 354/83 des Rates vom  1. 
Februar 198 3 über die Freigabe der historischen Archive der Europäischen  
Wirtschaftsgemeinschaft und der Europäischen Atomgem einschaft (ABI. L 43 vom  15.2.1983,  
S. 1), geändert durch die Verordnung (EG, Euratom) Nr. 1700/2003 vom 22. Septem ber 2003  
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COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
COM (84) 71 final
Brussels, 17 February 1984
REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL
on measures applicable to imports of preserved cultivated
mushrooms
COM(84) 71 final

PRESERVED CULTIVATED MUSHROOMS
REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL
When it adopted the Regulation on measures applicable to imports preserved  
cultivated mushrooms from non-Community countries, because of the special  
situation of offers from these countries on the Community market, the Council  
considered that, in view of the special nature of the arrangements, provision  
should be made for the Commission should submit to it, at the end of 1983, a  
report enabling it to examine their operation. This is that report. In the  
Commission's view, it shows that the arrangements have operated  
satisfactorily, as compared with the previous system, having regard to the  
problems on the market and relations with non-Community countries.
I. The previous system
1. The amount of preserved mushrooms being imported from non-Community  
countries, offering large quantities at prices well below Community  
production costs, has repeatedly led the Commission to take  
restrictive measures at the Community frontier.
Thus, under Article 14(2) of Regulation (EEC) No 516/77, it has  
invoked a number the safeguard clauses a number of times, mainly as  
regards preserved "champignons de couche", in order to prevent annual  
imports from non-Community countries exceeding the quantities  
traditionally traded.

- 2 -
2. Implementation of these safeguard measures has thrown up certain  
problems concerning:
- determining the precise statistical reference bases for calculating  
the imports to be allowed during a given period on the basis of  
previous imports;
- administrative control of documents (export documents, import  
licences, etc.), and the risks of deflection of trade and  
non-compliance with ceilings;
- voluntary restraint, which in the case of certain noh-Community  
countries, and in view of what has been said concerning  
administrative control, did not offer watertight guarantees.
In view of the difficulties inherent in these measures and as the  
market situation remained worrying, the Commission considered that it  
should propose more appropriate measures to the Council.
II. Present system
1. Regulation (EEC) No 1796/81, adopted by the Council on the basis of  
Article 13(2) of Regulation (EEC) No 516/77, is essentially a  
framework for managing imports of preserved cultivated mushrooms from  
non-Community countries.
The system now covers all cultivated mushrooms, and no longer only  
"champignons de counche" (see Additional Note to Chapter 20 of the  
CCT), in order to avoid any risk of deflection.

- 3 -
The main provisions of the system are as follows:
- each year 34 750 tones of preserved cultivated mushrooms (CCT  
heading ex 20 02 A) may be imported by the Community from  
non-Community countries with only the customs duty (23%) being  
paid);
- an additional amount of 160 ECU per 100 kg net is levied on imports  
exceeding the above quantity, as a deterrent;
- these arrangements do not apply for the Maghreb countries and the  
African, Caribbean and Pacific States.
For wild (non-cultivated) mushrooms, monitoring continues, through  
import licences.
2. Suitability of the system to the aims laid down
2.1. Main trends on the market in preserved cultivated mushrooms.  
Production (see Annex I)
Community production (see trend for the last ten years in Annex  
I) rose from 211 000 tonnes in 1980 to 225 000 in 1981 and  
237 300 tonnes in 1982, increases of 5-7%. Initial information  
indicates a similar rise in 1983.

- 4 -
As regards quality there is a growing trend towards production of  
third-grade mushrooms instead of first-grade.
Consumption (see Annex II)
Community consumption rose regularly for a number of years.
Since 1982, however, there has been a falling away, notably in  
the Federal Republic of Germany. There has also been a shift in  
demand for preserved cultivated mushrooms towards third-grade  
produce, and this explains the shift in production referred to  
above.
Processers1  stocks (see Annex II)
Stock figures in the two main producer Member States were much  
better in 1981 and 1982 than in 1979 and 1980. Thus, Community  
stocks fell from 25 000 tonnes at 31 December 1980 to only  
18 000 tonnes at the end of 1982.

- 5 -
However, information concerning 1983 stocks points to a further  
rise as against 1982, especially in France. Community stocks at  
the end of August were about 30 000 tonnes, an increase of  
6 000 tonnes over the same time the previous year.
Exports (see Annex II)
Exports outside the Community increased from 5 387 tonnes in 1980  
to 6 940 tonnes in 1982, an increase of 28%. However, this is  
still lower than past levels (approximately 8 500 tonnes in 1977).
Imports (see Annexes II and III)
~ From other Community countries
Intra-Community trade increased by 10% in 1981 and 5% in  
1982. The Federal Republic of Germany imported a total of  
83 000 tonnes from other Community countries in 1981 (9% more  
than in 1980) and maintained this level in 1982, although the  
relative shares of its suppliers changed. France maintained  
its position (31 000 tonnes), while the Netherlands increased  
its exports to the Federal Republic by 3% (from 47 600 tonnes  
to 49 100 tonnes),  at the expense of other Community exporter 
countries.
For 1983, figures are at present available for the first six  
months and in comparison with the same period in 1982 they  
show a continuation in the expansion of intra-Community

-  6 -
trade (7%). This applies also to the Federal Republic of  
Germany. For the first eight months of the year, German  
imports from other EEC countries rose from 53 600 tonnes in  
1982 to 58 400 tonnes in 1983 (up 9%). The Netherlands' share  
increased (19%) more than that of other exporter countries.
Prices in intra-Community trade improved in 1981 and 1982 over  
1980.
Average import prices into the Federal Republic (see Annex IV)  
showed a total increase of some 10% from 1981 to 1982, in the  
case of French and Dutch mushrooms. However, prices of the  
Community product in the first eight months of 1983 were 5 to  
10% lower than in the same period in 1982. This is basically  
due to increasing competition.
From outside the Community
Community imports fell from 37 500 tonnes in 1980, to  
36 500 tonnes in 1981 and 28 200 tonnes in 1982, a decrease of  
more than 20%. The Federal Republic of Germany is the main  
importing country, accounting as it does for 95% of the

- 7 -
Community's total imports of preserved cultivated mushrooms.  
German imports from outside the Community fell from  
34 900 tonnes in 1981 to 26 900 tonnes in 1982. As regards  
the situation in the Community in 1983, the fall in imports  
seems to be continuing, as import licences were granted during  
the first ten months of 1983 for only 18 300 tonnes, as  
against 24 100 tonnes in the same period in 1982. This would  
point to a reduction of more than 30%.
As regards prices (see Annex IV), the average CIF prices of  
preserved cultivated mushrooms imported into the Federal  
Republic of Germany show that:
- these prices were below prices in intra-Community trade;
- they rose by 20% in 1981 over 1980 and held steady in  
1982. However, during the first eight months of 1983 they  
were down by some 5% as against the same period in 1982.  
This fall matches that in prices for Community produce.
2.2. Assessment of the operation of the system  
General points
- The quantities for which licenses were issued were below the  
limit of 34 750 tonnes (see Annex V (a) and (b)). Some  
licences where the additional amount was to be paid were

- 8 -
nonetheless granted, but only for small quantities (20 tonnes  
in 1982), certainly special products.
- The limit of 34 750 tonnes is an acceptable level for imports  
of preserved cultivated mushrooms from non-Community countries.
This limit has enabled balance to be maintained on the  
Community market, and in particular on the German market,  
between produce from other Community countries and from  
non-Community countries, having regard to the level of  
Community consumption. It has also enabled the possibility of  
reasonable trade patterns with non-Community countries to be  
kept open, in the light of their real export potential. The  
Community has encountered no major trade policy difficulties  
in its relations with the countries concerned regarding these  
products. However, if some of our non-Community suppliers  
were to see their quantities available for export increase,  
they might well be expected to press for a moderate revision  
of the quotas.
Distribution- of the 34 750 tonnes between Member States and  
non-Community countries
- The Community has distributed the 34 750 tonnes each year  
among Member States mainly on the basis of imports in previous  
years and among non-Community countries on the basis of the  
Community's trade policy. This distribution of annual quotas

- 9 -
has definite advantages for both sides. The non-Community  
countries know precisely what quantities they may dispose of  
on the Community market during the year. This prevents  
excessive competition and so they do not tend to charge  
unreasonably low prices.
Within the Community the Member States share out the annual  
quotas between importers according to their own criteria,  
without major difficulties. This enables importers to plan  
their whole year in advance.
As regards distribution among non-Community countries,  
however, it should be pointed out that since the system came  
into effect the Commission has had to reallocate quotas at the  
end of the year, when the quantities allocated have not been  
used up, in order to comply with the aims of the Countil  
Regulation.
Thus, in 1983, it was necessary to reallocate 4 500 tonnes.  
Such a change in the distribution, carried out late, may well  
give rise to difficulties in the marketing of the produce. In  
order to prevent this, the Community producer countries would  
like the quantities to be allocated quarterly.

- 10 -
However, there would be appreciable difficulties in managing  
such a system (administrative complications, duration of  
certificates, etc.), and the main point in any case is to  
prevent excessive imports of preserved mushrooms disturbing  
the market at the end of the year. A better way of achieving  
this would seem to be judicious allocation of quotas at the  
beginning of the year with a possibility of review at the  
middle of the year. This is what has been done for 1984  
(Commision Regulation (EEC) No 3401/83 of 1 December 1983).
III. CONCLUSION
On the basis of the considerations mentioned above, the Commission  
proposes that all the measures included in Regulation (EEC) No 1796/81 be  
retained, as the legal instrument for managing imports of preserved  
cultivated mushrooms from outside the Community, on the grounds that the  
end-of-year problems encountered may be dealt with under implementing  
regulations.

ANNEX I
COMMUNITY IMPORTS OF PRESERVED CULTIVATED  
MUSHROOMS (EEC 10)
Tonnes semi-processed
TOTAL EEC :  FRANCE :  NETHERLANDS
1972 :  156.700 :  102.400 :  32.100
1973 :  163.800 :  100.600 :  37.500
1974 :  165.300 :  107.600 :  34.200
1975 :  158.000 :  103.400 :  34.400
1976 :  161.800 :  101.100 :  38.800
1977 :  180.400 :  116.600 :  43.000
1978 :  187.400 :  118.100 :  47.000
1979 :  210.000 :  128.800 :  55.300
1980 :  211.000 :  125.600 :  61.000
1981 :  225.700 :  132.200 :  68.700
1982 :  237.300 :  139.300 :  73.200
Source:  Trade organizations

ANNEX XI
THE EEC 10 MARKET IN PRESERVED CULTIVATED MUSHROOMS
tonnes
•
•1) :
Production :
a•
•■Availabilities
(a):  2) : 
:  Imports from : 
:  outside EEC : 
: (b) :2) :
Exports 
outside EEC :  
( c)  :1)
Stocks at  
31 December  
<d)Apparent :  
consumption  
(a)+(b)-(c)-(d):
1977••aa
180 .400 : 189.400 :  31.339 : 8.209 : 9.700aa
202.830 :
1978a187.400 : 197.100 :  47.097 ; 5.118 : 9.750 229.329 :
1979•■210 .000 : 219.750 :  31.087 : 4.889 : 20.800 225.148 :
1980•211 .000 : 231.800 :  37.500 t 5.387 : 25.600 238.313 :
1981«•225.700 : 251.300 :  36.532 : 5.504 : 18.800 263.528 :
1982 237.300 : 256.100 :  28.232 :
• a• a6.940 : 18.700 258.692 :
Source :  l) Trade organizations
2) Nimexe

ANNEX XII
IMPORTS OF PRESERVED CULTIVATED MUSHROOMS INTO FRG.
tonnes
1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982
NON-COMMUNITY 26.876 30.205 45.962 29.741 35.700 34.904 26.907
incl. :  China  
Taiwan 
South Korea16.184
7.830
1.89615.319
10.355
2.96218.230
14.727
9.83029.605
57
3827.818
1.360
4.84628.611
1.312
4.09921.767
846
2.033
BBC 65.986 66.838 68.106 69.184 76.819 83.811 83.057
incl. :  Prance
Netherlands33.133
29.27428.762
32.41227.729
34.74823.178
40.81230.475
43.03831.837
47.63031.280
49.103
TOTAL 92.862 97.043 114.068 98.925 112.519 118.715 109.964
Source :  Official figures, Federal Republic of Germany.

ANNEX IV
AVERAGE PRICES (UNIT VALUES>  OF IMPORTS OF PRESERVED CULTIVATED  
MUSHROOMS INTO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY
DM/100 KG
:  1 9  3 0 :  1 9  8 1 :  1 9 8 2 : 1 9  8 2 :  1 9  8 3
______ ______________ „ _ *  T —» —  —  —  —  m.*ui± ____________< 
first 8 monbhs) :  (flrst 8 monbhs)
TOTALINTRA ESC s  323 :  344 :  362 364 :  331
i n d .:  FEAHCE :  334 :  357 s  364 s 370 :  346
NETHEKLANDS s  316 :  339 i  360 : 360 :  324
TOTALEXTRA BSC :  269 :  328 322 : 322 :  309
incl.s  CHINA :  262 :  326 t  324 : 326 :  307
TAIWAN :  324 347 347 s 346 s  353
KOREA :  282 :  333 :  333 : 323 :  383
N.B The 1982 and 1983 figures for Taiwan and Korea are untypical.
Source Official figures, Federal Republic of Germany.

ANNEX V (ft)
Licences issued In 1982
(BBC 10) tonnes
Bssseaa soBBsaasssasass
Exporting
country
Im­
porting
country
BLBU
Denmark
Fed. Rep.  
Germany
France
Greece
Italy
Netherlands  
United Kingdom  
Ireland
TotalChina Korea Taiwan Hong-Kong Spain Others Total
quan- 11-quan- 11-quan- 11-quan- 11-quan- 11-quan- 11-quan- 11-
tlty cencos tltycences tltycences tltycences tltycences tltycences tlty caneos
ell- Issued ell-Issued ell-Issued ell-issued ell-issued ell-issued ell- issued
glble glble glble glble glble glble glble
288 264 - - 17 9- - 13- - - 318 273
SS6 445 12- - - - - - - - - S68 445
24.927 24.927 3.368 1.344 1.558 853 479 4301.089 6731.628 1.448 33.049 29.675
dont
103 t.
Kenya
3 2- « 10 10- - - - 9 2 22 14
8 7 4- 189 52 - - 64 62 58- 323 121
4 3- - 7- - - - 12 12 23 15
64 33 32- 23- - - - - - - 119 33
127 39 14
-182 156 5
- - - - -328 195
25.977 25.720 3.430 1.344 1.986 1.080 484 4301.166 7351.707 1.462 34.750 30.771

ANNEE V (b)
Licences issued in first 10 months of 1983
(CEE 10) tonnes
« s s a a s a s e s E s s a c a s
Exporting
country
Im—
porting
country
BLEU
Denmark:9BiliiS«SBBBB<BSSSIE9afiB«3S«tiiaV«aSBaiMBS»*BV«EBS(SBS8SBnmS33a!SISS!SeSSS«SttBaBe:SSai*MS*S»Sa·
Fed.  Eep.
Germany
France
Greece
Italy
Netherlands  
United Kingdom  
IrelandChina Korea Taiwan Hong--Kong Spain Others Total
quan­
tity
eli­
gibleli­
cences
issuedquan­
tity
eli­
gibleli­
cences
issuedquan­
tity
eli­
gibleli­
cences
issuedquan­
tity
eli­
gibleli­
cences
issuedquan­
tity
eli­
gibleli­
cences
issuedquan­
tity
eli­
gibleli­
cences
issuedquan­
tity
eli­
gibleli­
cences
issued
306 45- - 27 9- - 12- - - 345 54
575 46 20 - - - - .- - - - - 595 46
26.478
317.020
21.389 182.460
17626
2430 401.014 2741.037
686
dont 
85 t. 
Kenya32.808
2617.979
4
8 7 2- 298 24 - - 60 36 37- 405 67
3- - - 11 4- - - - 7- 21 4
69 813- 36 12- - - - - - 118 20
13S 39 6- 287 116 4- - - - - 432 1S5
- - - - - - - - - - - - - —
27.577 17.167 1.430 183.136 793 434 401.086 3101.087 134.750 18.329Total
S i S S a B B S S B B B S B S B S
licences issued  
in same period  
198219.763 1.245 677 430 636 1.359 24.110