The Anti-Dumping Commission (ADC) has released the findings of its ‘Statement of Essential Facts’ (SEF), which revealed imported processed tomatoes from Italian companies Feger and La Doria had been illegally dumped in Australia.
The commissioner is recommending preliminary dumping duties be imposed at margins of 7.5 per cent and 5.1 per cent. Feger and La Doria’s exports represent approximately half of the imported Italian tomatoes in Australia.
SPC Managing Director Reg Weine said the decision is critical, not just for SPC, but for Australia’s manufacturing industry and food processing sector.
“The future of Australia’s food processing sector, horticulture industry and the livelihood of Australian farmers is being undermined as more and more cheap imports flood the market and find their way onto supermarket shelves,” he said.
“We need a level playing field to succeed, and this statement gives me confidence that SPC can continue to produce the quality clean, green Australian products that our consumers love and we are famous for.”
In its SEF, the ADC has acknowledged the impact EU subsidies are having on Italian canned tomato prices. Since 2010, the illegal dumping of tomato products has resulted in material damage to SPC, including reduced margins and declining profitability. SPC has struggled to compete on price with these heavily subsidised dumped Italian tomatoes.
“It is pleasing to see that the ADC has made a decision that supports regional industry and jobs,” Mr Weine said. “The Australian Government now has the time to consider this report and make a final decision. I trust that as they do this, they will also put the appropriate measures in place to ensure duties are uniformly applied.”