Good news for Michigan cherry industry. Bad news for Turkey.
Michigan’s large but struggling tart cherry industry got a big boost Monday when the federal government tentatively ordered Turkish exporters to begin escrowing cash to cover huge new duties imposed on Turkey’s dried tart cherry imports to the United States.
If the ruling stands, it’s almost certain to end Turkish dried cherry imports. U.S. cherry producers accuse Turkish exporters of illegally selling cherries at below market prices and its government of unfairly subsidizing the nation’s cherry industry.
Monday’s ruling is expected to help Michigan growers recover the cost of cherry production, something that hasn’t come close to happening the last three years. It’s also likely to spur new efforts to insure that growers can compete on a level playing field if, as expected, new foreign competition emerges.
Dorance Amos, of Williamsburg, whose family has been growing tart cherries for three generations, said cherry growers were desperate for some good news.
Read more: https://www.bridgemi.com/economy/good-news-michigan-cherry-industry-bad-news-turkey