Press Releases

Congressman Jack Bergman and Congressman John Moolenaar sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue urging the inclusion of tart and processed sweet cherries in tariff-aid administered through the Market Facilitation Program (MFP).

In the letter to Secretary Perdue, Reps. Bergman and Moolenaar noted,"We are deeply concerned about the future of the cherry industry in Michigan, and across the country, due to significant hardship caused by harmful trade practices and depressed prices. For these reasons, we strongly believe processed sweet and tart cherries should be eligible for assistance under the MFP and request your support for American farmers."

Phil Korsen, President of the Cherry Marketing Institute stated, "I get up every morning worried about the impact of unfair trade on Michigan's cherry industry and a new invasive pest called Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD). It has been a perfect storm this past year with SWD driving up the growers cost of production and unfair trade driving down the price. I appreciate the help and support USDA has provided and the leadership of Jack Bergman and John Moolenaar to help us get this across the finish line."

Following a success in securing USDA purchases of $30 million in tart cherries, the industry has waged a promising trade case, which last week achieved preliminary tariffs against Turkey’s cherry dumping. This decision was great news for American farmers and a welcomed decision for Michigan’s First District. 

Recently, Rep. Bergman stated,"Northern Michigan is the Cherry Capital of the World, and ensuring a level playing field for American cherry growers and producers is a top priority. The U.S. tart cherry market is rapidly expanding. Yet due to highly government-subsidized Turkish imports and related trade issues, our cherry growers have been struggling just to keep their heads above water. I’m proud that our work with Undersecretary Ibach and the Trump Administration has enabled the cherry industry to fight for its future."

The letter can be read here.

Background:

The USDA is authorized to deliver aid to farms negatively impacted by trade issues via the MFP.  In May 2019, the Trump Administration announced up to $14.5 billion in MFP payments directly to farmers, but tart cherries, for example, have not been designated as eligible for funds under this program despite harm suffered by Turkey’s trade practices.

Turkey and other foreign countries have flooded U.S. markets by dumping cheap imports, which have severely strained domestic cherry prices.  Congressman Bergman has worked with USDA Marketing and Regulatory Programs Under Secretary Greg Ibach to explore solutions for the U.S. tart cherry industry.  

On November 1, 2018, President Trump ended Turkey's duty-free access to the U.S. market following a written request from Congressman Bergman on behalf of First District cherry farmers.

On March 20, 2019, Congressman Bergman delivered news to cherry growers in Traverse City that USDA would be making its first $15 million purchase of tart cherries in 2019. 

On June 24, 2019 USDA announced it’s second $15 million purchase of tart cherries in response to a letter of request from Congressman Bergman led a letter with Congressmen Upton, Moolenaar, and Huizenga.

On September 25^th, the U.S. Department of Commerce issued a preliminary ruling which places provisional tariffs on Turkey’s dumping of cherry products into U.S. markets.