Press Releases

On December 3rd, the International Trade Commission (ITC) will hold the final injury hearing on Turkey’s product dumping and unfair trade practices, which have severely impacted Michigan’s tart cherry growers and producers. In support of the tart cherry industry, Congressman Bergman led eight Members of the Michigan Congressional delegation in sending written testimony to the ITC panel.

The Members of Congress noted that,"Michigan has a proud and extensive history of being a leader in the agriculture industry. Fruit crops are an especially important part of the state’s economy, and Michigan cherries are known throughout the state and nation – in fact Traverse City, Michigan is known as the Cherry Capital of the world. In addition, the five counties located in and around Traverse City are the leading producers of the annual tart cherry crop in the United States."

The joint testimony highlights disturbing trends in Turkey's dumping of highly subsidized cherry products into the United States' market, noting the"dramatic increase from over 413,000 pounds in 2016 to 1.5 million pounds by the end of 2018."The Commerce Department issued an affirmative preliminary countervailing duty (CVD) determination of 204% on September 23, 2019. On that same day, Commerce also issued an affirmative preliminary anti-dumping duty determination of a range of 541 – 643%.

You can read the full written testimony HERE.

In response to the Congressional testimony provided today, Phil Korson, President of the Cherry Marketing Institute said, "Fair trade is critically important to Michigan’s Cherry Growers and we appreciate the leadership and support from Michigan’s Congressional Delegation"

Rep. Bergman’s recent work on cherry-related trade issues:

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. Read the full release here.

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.