WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1384/96 by Miguel ARIAS CAÑETE to the Commission. Imports of avocados from Mexico
Date: 1996-06-06
Institutions: ARIAS CANETE, European Parliament
Subjects: EU production, Mexico, common customs tariff, import, originating product, restriction on competition, statistics, tropical fruit













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91996E1384

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1384/96 by Miguel ARIAS CAÑETE to the Commission. Imports of avocados from Mexico  


Official Journal C 385 , 19/12/1996 P. 0015 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-1384/96 by Miguel Arias Cañete (PPE) to the Commission (6 June 1996)Subject: Imports of avocados from MexicoThe mass imports of Mexican avocados into the European Union are severely prejudicing Community avocado producers, who cannot compete with the Mexican prices.Mexican avocado production costs are much lower than ours, since the socio-economic conditions there mean that labour costs are very low indeed. Nonetheless, the final quality of the product is much lower than that of European avocados, because of the length of time involved in transporting the former.Is the Commission aware that while our market is being flooded with cheap, poor-quality Mexican avocados, thanks to the unfair socio-economic conditions in Mexico, over-ripe European avocados are literally falling from the trees because of the length of time that producers have held out waiting for a reduction in imports from Mexico? Does the Commission intend to take any steps to improve the situation?Joint answer to Written Questions E-1384/96 and E-1385/96 given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (11 July 1996)The Commission acknowledges that Community imports of avocados increased in 1994 and 1995 and last year amounted to a total of 105 552 tonnes. However, these increases follow two years of reduction, in which the Twelve in 1991 imported only 90 145 tonnes, and the relative increase over the period 1991-95 was no more than 16%.Mexico accordingly became the Community's principal supplier of avocados in 1995. The increase in Mexican imports meant that the Community's second main supplier, Israel, saw its market share fall whilst sales by South Africa, the third supplier, remained at their previous level. These three countries account for almost 90% of Community imports.Conventional customs duties on avocado imports are 7.5% from 1 June to 30 November and 4% during the rest of the year. ((Commission Regulation (EC) No 3009/95 of 22 December 1995 amending Annex I to Council Regulation (EEC) No 2658/87 on the tariff and statistical nomenclature and on the Common Customs Tariff - OJ L 319, 30.12.1995. Product code: 0804 40. )) This product therefore receives greater protection during the Community production period.Hence, the Commission does not see the Mexican imports in question as likely to disrupt the Community market and does not envisage specific measures in respect of the avocado production sector.The Commission is nevertheless monitoring this market closely and would point out that the new provisions which the reform of the fruit and vegetables organization incorporates should provide the opportunity for measures capable of improving the competitiveness of Community producers.