The U.S. Department of Commerce issued a final determination on October 26, 1994, allowing the U.S. Customs Service to require Chinese importers of fresh garlic to post a bond or cash deposit equal to 376.6% of the invoice value of the imported product. This action is a result of unfairly priced garlic imports from the People's Republic of China (PRC) which threatened the U.S. fresh garlic industry. Since the preliminary tariff went into effect July 11, 1994, market prices for fresh U.S. garlic have recovered.

A spokesperson for the Fresh Garlic Producers Association (FGPA) explained that "Chinese imports skyrocketed from 3 million pounds in 1991, to 7.2 million pounds in 1992, to more than 54 million pounds in 1993." In 1993 China sold fresh garlic in the U.S. for $0.06 per pound while the average production cost in China was $0.27 per pound. The cost to grow one pound of garlic in California is $0.40 to $0.60. (United States International Trade Commission, Office of Public Affairs, OPA 94-104 and press releases from Georgetown Communication Services for the Fresh Garlic Producers Association; July 8, 1994, and October 26, 1994.)

Article copyright American Botanical Council.