Trade investigation launched against Dutch pepper imports Sunday, March 21, 2010 by BETTER FARMING STAFFThe Canadian Border Services Agency announced today it is investigating an allegation that Netherlands growers are dumping greenhouse bell peppers in Canada.The investigation follows an Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers complaint filed with the agency Jan. 29. “Dumping” occurs when products are exported a prices less than the cost of producing them.The agency will release a statement of reasons for the investigation April 6 and provide a preliminary determination June 21. If the case proceeds, the Canadian International Trade Tribunal will determine whether to take trade action, such as imposing a countervail duty.George Gilvesy, the Greenhouse Growers’ general manager, says a preliminary estimate of damage is $66 million in “income foregone” over the last three years. “It did a great deal of damage in the marketplace in 2009,” he says. “We expect that this investigation will confirm that dumping of product has occurred and allow for the imposition of anti-dumping measures,” states the marketing board’s chair, Len Roozen, in a news release.In a document filed with the agency, the Greenhouse Growers identifies two Netherlands-based exporters, M. Levarht & Zonen B.V. and Greenery Produce B.V.The document asserts that Dutch bell peppers exports to Canada increased by 30 per cent in 2009 compared to 2008. A price chart shows prices for Dutch peppers dropped to $2.74 per kilogram in 2009 from $3.14/kg in 2008.The document explains that because peppers are perishable, they must be brought to market quickly and prices will fluctuate to what is necessary to clear the market: “With Dutch peppers being flown (and shipped) to Canada, and being offered at extremely low dumped prices, the Canadian market price is continually being disrupted.”It further states that where one supermarket chain “is selling dumped Dutch peppers, competing supermarkets insist that Canadian product be priced to allow them to compete at the retail level.“A single shipment from the Netherlands may thus dictate pricing for all OGVG product being cleared during the next few weeks.”The provincial growers organization sounded the alarm about Dutch peppers in 2009. When greenhouse growers appealed to federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz to pursue diplomatic avenues, Ritz recommended that the organization file a complaint with the border services agency.In 2006, Ontario’s greenhouse pepper industry, the largest in the country, was valued at $166 million and the Canadian industry at $191 million. BF Minister's review was more than producer asked for Private members' bill seeds regulation debate
Festival of Guest Nations returns to Leamington Thursday, September 18, 2025 On Sunday, September 14, 2025, Seacliff Park in Leamington, Ontario, will come alive with music, food, and celebration as the Festival of Guest Nations returns to honour the migrant worker communities who play a vital role in Essex County’s agricultural economy. With more than 20 years... Read this article online
Ontario’s most problematic weed -- Canada Fleabane Cuts Corn and Soybean Yields Wednesday, September 17, 2025 At the , Dr. Peter Sikkema of the University of Guelph highlighted the persistent challenge of Canada fleabane, one of Ontario’s most problematic weeds. Once easily controlled with glyphosate, the weed has now developed resistance not only to glyphosate but also to multiple herbicide... Read this article online
Augusta Van Muyen selected as the 67th Grape King Wednesday, September 17, 2025 Grape Growers of Ontario and Farm Credit Canada have announced that Lincoln vineyard manager Augusta Van Muyen has been chosen by her peers as the . Currently, the vineyard manager at Tawse Winery, Van Muyen, followed a path to success that took her across Ontario and the world.... Read this article online
Grain Growers of Canada calls on Carney to Prioritize Upgrades to the Port of Vancouver Wednesday, September 17, 2025 Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) is calling on the federal government to urgently prioritize major upgrades to the Port of Vancouver and its connecting rail infrastructure. The organization warns that without these improvements, Canada’s economic growth and global trade reliability are at... Read this article online
Strategies to Optimize Market Returns in Ontario Monday, September 15, 2025 Berkley Fedorchuk, grain marketing specialist with Hensall Co-op in Southwestern Ontario, recently shared insights into the current corn market and strategies for forward marketing during his presentation at the . With a focus on the Ontario and Eastern Canadian grain sectors,... Read this article online