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Article: In-shell or out, China's nutty for U.S. tree nuts.
- Article from:
- AgExporter
- Article date:
- April 1, 2004
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2004 U.S. Department of Agriculture. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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U.S. export figures show U.S. tree nut exports to China booming from $2.3 million in calendar 1998 to $15 million in 2003. Greater urban affluence is altering consumer tastes for varied foods and should assure rising demand for almond, pistachio, hazelnut, pecan, cashew, macadamia nut and walnut imports.
Several factors have accounted for this remarkable growth. Before China's 2001 accession to the WTO (World Trade Organization), tree nut tariffs averaged 26 percent. China reduced its tariff rates for tree nuts an average 5.25 percent as of 2003. By 2004, rates dropped about 7.88 percent, making them even more attractive to importers and consumers. But lower ...