2014 Texas Oranges and Grapefruit Changes

Oranges and Grapefruit Grown in Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas and Imported Oranges; Change in Size Requirements for Oranges

 

Docket Number: AMS-FV-14-0009; FV14-906-1 FIR

Effective: July 17, 2014

 

8e Requirements - Section 8e of the Act provides that when certain domestically produced commodities, including oranges, are regulated under a Federal marketing order, imports of that commodity must meet the same or comparable grade, size, quality, and maturity requirements. Since this rule changes the minimum size requirements for oranges, a corresponding change to the import regulations must also be considered.

 

Changes to the Grade Requirements - Minimum grade and size requirements for oranges imported into the United States are currently in effect under§ 944.312. Section 944.312(i) of the Fruit Import Regulations specifies that oranges imported into the United States are in most direct competition with oranges produced in the area covered by Marketing Order No. 906. This change relaxes the minimum size requirement for imported oranges from 2–6/16 inches to 2–3/16 inches. The relaxation in the minimum size requirement also has a beneficial impact for importers of oranges.

 

This change allows a smaller-sized orange to be shipped to the United States, thereby increasing the amount of fruit available for shipment to the fresh market, thus benefiting importers.

 

Ray Prewett, Manager

Texas Valley Citrus Committee

901 Business Park Drive, Suite 400

Mission, Texas 78572

Phone: (956) 584-1772

Website: https://texipa.org/about-us-2/

 

Marketing Order and Agreement Division

Fruit and Vegetable Program, Agricultural Marketing Service

Phone: (202) 720-2491