Californian table grape exporters have welcomed the prospect of a more even playing field in key Asian markets, which will be brought about under the terms of the Trans Pacific Partnership(TPP).
The multi-national trade pact will eliminate the tariff on Californian grapes entering the Japanese market, which currently ranges between 7.8 per cent and 17 per cent depending on seasonality. A fixed 10 per cent tariff in Vietnam and a 5 per cent tariff in Malaysia will also be abolished.
“The elimination of tariffs in the TPP presents an opportunity to expand California table grape exports in the robust Asia Pacific region, and will also help California exporters compete with third-party producers who have already secured preferential tariff access in these markets from other regional trade agreements,” Kathleen Nave, president of the Californian Table Grape Commission, told Asiafruit.
In addition to the expected tariff advantages, Nave said the TPP will also implement measures to ensure food safety and phytosanitary regulations are developed and implementedtransparently.
“These regulations are based on science, and prevent trade-restrictive and protectionist policies from being implemented,” Nave explained.“TPP also includes protection for trademarks and local names used by US exporters.”
