BRAZILIAN FCOJ OFFICIAL WELCOMES U.S. DUTY CUT
Mario Branco Peres, president of
the Brazilian Association of Citrus Juice Industries
(Abrassuco), welcomed a decision by the U.S. Commerce
Department sharply cutting its duties on imported frozen
concentrated orange juice (FCOJ) from Brazil.
    Speaking by telephone from Sao Paulo, Peres said, "With its
decision, the U.S. government recognised the honesty of
Brazilian exporters, who never have the intention of practising
dumping."
    In a final ruling yesterday, the U.S. government eliminated
the duties shipped by Sucocitrico Cutrale and cut to 1.96 pct
the duty on Citrosuco. Duties of 8.54 pct had been set last
October.
    Peres said Brazil had enough orange juice to meet the needs
of its major clients.
    "We do not have in stock what we would like to have, but we
certainly have enough orange juice available to supply our
buyers," Peres said, declining to estimate the amount of the
current stock. "To keep it a secret is part of our strategy," he
added.
    Peres said the price policy of the orange juice was based
on market conditions.
    "There is nothing better than a free trade policy," he said.
    Cutrale and Citrosuco officials were not immediately
available for comment.
 Reuter
