60 Day Comment

International Frozen Food Corporation
100-40 S. Jersey Avenue
East Setauket, NY 11733

Tel (631)751-4995
Fax (631)751-4998

September 12, 2017
GSP Subcommittee
Trade Policy Staff Committee
Office of the United States Trade Representative
USTR Annex
Room F-220
1724 F Street NW
Washington, DC 20508
Re: Generalized System of Preferences(GSP) Docket Number USTR 2017-0014
I write in my capacity as President of International Frozen Food Corp., an importer of
fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables, in order to express my support for the
reinstatement of Argentina to the GSP program.
Prior to Argentina’s being delisted from GSP status, the U.S. was its main export
market for frozen strawberries, with a volume of 20 to 25 million pounds per year.
Since Argentina’s delisting in 2012, its volume of frozen strawberry exports to the U.S.
has dropped to around 2 to 2.5 million pounds a year. Previous to 2012, our company's
volume of frozen strawberry imports from Argentina was between 4 and 7 million
pounds per year. In 2012, as a result of Argentina losing the benefits of GSP status, our
volume of strawberry imports was reduced to approximately 200,000 pounds and has
remained as such.
By comparison, frozen strawberries from other countries (such as, Chile, Peru, Egypt
and Mexico) have duty-free access to the U.S. market. The quality of Argentina's
frozen strawberries is well regarded in the industry. Our loss of market share is a
direct effect of the 11.2% import duty. Compared to the 0% duty on imported
strawberries from these other countries, the high duty imposed on Argentina’s
strawberry imports has resulted in a competitive disadvantage due to higher cost.
Our customers prefer frozen strawberries from Argentina, which have been a reliable
import strawberry for many years. Reinstating Argentina’s GSP status will allow us to
offer this product once again at a level cost basis. This will give us an excellent
opportunity to regain lost market share. Again, the reinstatement of Argentina to GSP
status would make it, once again, a strong competitor alongside other developing
markets.
Thank you for consideration.

Sincerely,

Jorge Basile
Jorge Basile
President