WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1385/96 by Miguel ARIAS CAÑETE to the Commission. EU avocado production crisis
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













EUR-Lex - 91996E1385 - EN






Avis juridique important




|



91996E1385

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1385/96 by Miguel ARIAS CAÑETE to the Commission. EU avocado production crisis  


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





WRITTEN QUESTION E-1385/96 by Miguel Arias Cañete (PPE) to the Commission (6 June 1996)Subject: EU avocado production crisisThe EU avocado sector consists of some 8000 hectares of farms directly responsible for the livelihood of 10 000 families. The farmers' turnover is over Ptas 12 000 m and investment in agricultural property amounts to over Ptas 50 000 m.In 1996, according to the statistics available to us, EU imports of this product from third countries rose by 22%, mostly from Mexico, the leading world producer, whose exports to the EU have risen by 43%. Exports of Spanish avocados to the other countries of the EU have fallen by 27%. In conjunction with the system of Community customs duties (3.5% during the Spanish avocado season and 6% for the rest of the year), this results in prices which mean that Spanish production is no longer viable.Does the Commission intend to amend the customs system, which, in view of the periods for which it applies, does not appear to be intended to protect European produce?Does it intend to take any steps to solve the crisis which has engulfed Community producers thanks to the mass imports of avocados from third countries, which could well completely overwhelm and destroy our market?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.