US slashes anti-dumping duties on Vietnamese honey, final verdict awaited

The decision, announced last Friday, is part of the U.S.’s anti-dumping investigations of raw honey imported from Argentina, Brazil, India, and Vietnam.

They were initiated last May after a petition was filed by the American Honey Producers Association and the Sioux Honey Association.

The Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) welcomed the duty cut, saying it would help the honey industry maintain its exports to the U.S.

But it said the decision has yet to reflect the actual honey production and export situation.

It is not the final verdict in the case.

The U.S. has two agencies involved in anti-dumping probes, with the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) assessing the damage done to U.S. industries and the Department of Commerce (DOC) determining the punitive duties.

The USITC’s conclusion is expected to be made on May 23.

MoIT said it would continue to work with relevant agencies to safeguard honey producers’ and exporters’ legitimate interests.

Some 40,000 households earn their livelihoods from beekeeping and there are hundreds of honey processing and exporting firms.

The U.S. accounts for 90 percent of Vietnam’s exports.

Last year, it bought 56,133 tons for US$82.1 million, according to the USITC.