International Trade Law News

The U.S. Commerce Department yesterday announced the initiation of an antidumping duty investigation on certain processed hazelnuts from Turkey. The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) is scheduled to issue its preliminary determination as to whether the domestic industry is materially injured, or is threatened with material injury, as a result of imports from Turkey on December 10, 2003. If the ITC makes an affirmative preliminary determination, the Commerce Department will proceed with its investigation and should issue a preliminary determination in April 2004.

The petition requesting this investigation was filed on October 21, 2003 by Westnut LLC (Dundee, OR), Northwest Hazelnut Company (Hubbard, OR), Hazelnut Growers of Oregon (Cornelius, OR), Willamette Filbert Growers (Newberg, OR), Evergreen Orchards (McMinnville, OR), and Evonuk Orchards (Eugene, OR). The petition alleged an antidumping margin of 31.80%.

This investigation covers certain processed hazelnuts, including kernels, and kernels that have been roasted, blanched, sliced, diced, chopped, or in the following other forms: paste, meal, flour, croquant, and butter. In-shell hazelnuts are excluded from the scope of the order. The merchandise subject to this investigation is classified in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) at subheadings 0802.22 and 2008.19.2000.