Calif garlic farmers cede decade-long battle to Chinese exports

azcentral.com ^ | Jul. 22, 2003 01:55 PM | Rachel Konrad

[hedgetrimmer]

Unfair free trade policies of the Bush administration, and loopholes that eliminate tariffs, could speed their[garlic farmers in America] demise.

[joesnuffy]

thats ok the greenies will take the land and put it off limits to everyone except their
fellow rifkinite elites

[hedgetrimmer]

China trade, food security PING

[hedgetrimmer]

They've probably got a conservation easement contract all lined up to force on the Christophers. This is a very sad story for Gilroy and the future of farming in America.

[farmfriend]

Rights, farms, environment ping.

Let me know if you wish to be added or removed from this list.

[hedgetrimmer]

Illegal imports started the industry's decline:

GILROY, Calif. (AP) -- Americans love garlic, but growers here say illegal Chinese imports, unpredictable weather and soaring land costs are threatening the domestic garlic industry.

The Fresh Garlic Producers Association complained to the U.S. Customs Service last week that Chinese garlic -- which is supposed to be subject to a 376 percent tariff -- is illegally entering U.S. ports in containers from Thailand and Vietnam.

The garlic is being sold -- minus the tariffs -- for about 30 percent below domestic prices, said association spokesman Jim Provost.

"We're facing a looming threat from these illegal imports," Provost said.

Last year, Americans consumed an average of two pounds of garlic each, according to the Department of Agriculture. On any given day, one out of five Americans eats garlic, more than french fries or ketchup.

Domestic growers trying to satisfy that demand face a severe threat from China, the largest garlic producer in the world with 13 billion pounds a year -- 66 percent of the world's garlic output.

Customs Service officials confirmed they're looking into the complaints of illegal imports.

"As long as there is a demand for garlic in the U.S. and a supply in China, they're going to try to get it in," said Kevin McCann, an international trade specialist with the Customs Service in Washington. "But they're certainly not going to pay the 376 percent tariff, so they'll try other things."

McCann said investigators have been in Long Beach, the primary port for garlic imports. He said some type of intervention will take place soon.

Chinese trade ministry officials in Beijing said they had prepared answers to questions raised by The Associated Press about garlic, but had not received approval to release them.

At Christopher Ranch, the nation's leading fresh garlic producer, spokeswoman Patsy Ross said trade violations are not their only problem.

"This is a fragile industry," she said, standing in a bustling garlic-packing warehouse at the ranch in Gilroy, about 100 miles south of San Francisco. "There are a lot of things that are out of our control."


http://newstribune.com/stories/011602/bus_0116020939.asp

[Jeff Chandler]

This is a shame. California garlic has a reputation for superior quality.

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

If they marked the jar or raw bulb "100% California Garlic" I'd buy it instead of the Chinese stuff, even if the price is higher.

[hattend]

Cheaper to grow in China, ship it 5000 miles AND withstand a 365% tariff?

So much for the canard that illegals are keeping US farm produce prices down.

I love driving through that area, so aromatic. Will TNC close down the main highway when the farmers all sell?

[Monty22]

So much for the crap about the illegals helping agriculture by doing field jobs.

Didn't help this at all..

[x1stcav]

You'll still be able to get California garlic. You'll simply pay more relative to the imports.

The same thing happened to the dried Apricot business starting in the 70's. Cheap imports from Turkey were going to drive the 'cot growers out of business. Didn't happen.

The article doesn't make it clear, but Christopher hasn't grown much garlic in close to 20 years. They are a processor of minced and chopped garlic that we buy in jars. This started in the late 70's and is one of the reasons for the upsurge in garlic consumption. My guess is this is where the bulk of the Chinese garlic will go as raw Chinese garlic doesn't have good presentation.

[Freedom4US]

Well, if we have to pay our workers $8.50 an hour, slap a $7 tarriff on chinese garlic. Problem solved!

[Jeff Chandler]

>>You'll still be able to get California garlic. <<

That's good to know. I love good garlic, and eat it whenever my wife isn't looking. She says I reek when I eat it.

[LibertyAndJusticeForAll]

Just as a consumer, I've ordered garlic directly from a grower in Gilroy and will continue to do. I encourage everyone; besides garlic is really good for you.
Driving through Gilroy is a unique experience ;)

[x1stcav]

I enjoy eating it whole and raw myself.

Your wife's reaction is typical. To a non garlic eater the stuff reeks. Now you have an idea of what it's like to have a morning meeting with Koreans. They eat it for breakfast. They also eat it for lunch and dinner. Hell, they eat it for snacks. I've never had a meal over there where whole raw garkic wasn't present.

I don't notice it (the smell) except in the early morning for some reason. But then I eat it too when I'm there. Of course when I fly on to some other part of the world people have a problem with me for a day or two.

[Bedford Forrest]

My guess is this is where the bulk of the Chinese garlic will go as raw Chinese garlic doesn't have good presentation

If the rubbish that Costco sells in string bags for $3.69 or so is from China, how can they sell to anybody? Every now and then the braids [which I assume are from Gilroy] come through Giant [peoples' republic of MD] but by and large it is extremely difficult to get good garlic around here. Guess we'll have to start growing it ourselves.

[x1stcav]

There are quite a few garlic growers who will ship you braids. Try a search on Google and you won't have too much trouble.

This is easy because garlic ships well and doesn't require a lot of special handling.

One can grow garlic almost anywhere. It isn't difficult. You could do this in a home garden.

[SierraWasp]

"Americans love garlic"

No way! Not all of 'em!!!

In my opinion, that stuff outta be plowed back under to serve as fertilizer for somthin decent!!!

The smella that obscene stuff reminds me of the way my electric train motor used to smell when it got too hot when I was real little!!! What a stench!!!

I know, I know, summa you people probably even like garlic milk shakes, which goes to prove you've burned out you tastebuds like I burned out my little train engine!!! (grin)

[farmfriend]

Mmmmmm, chicken and garlic pizza from Round Table. I had once that had big globs of minced garlic on it. Tasty.

[countrydummy]

try ramps!

Chicken! lol lol