Six of the nation’s major commodity groups on April 18 sent a letter to the US International Trade Commission encouraging it to vote negative in advancing a petition by Corteva Agribusiness to place antidumping and countervailing duties on imports of the herbicide 2,4-D shipped from India and China.
The letter, signed by leaders from the American Soybean Association, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Barley Growers Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Sorghum Producers, and the US Durum Growers Association, expressed concerns that the petition could hinder imports and cause herbicide shortages.
“The imports covered by this case are the large majority of sources of supply other than Corteva, which is the only US supplier,” the letter said. “To put it simply, America’s farmers cannot rely upon a sole domestic supplier of 2,4-D to meet nearly all the market’s needs, and imports are needed to meet the majority of market needs.”
The letter said duties on 2,4-D imports from the two countries would intensify what is already a difficult period for many growers as key input costs continue to increase. The groups noted that the USDA is projecting record high farm production cash expenses for 2024. At the same time, crop values are declining. USDA projects total cash receipts for crops in 2024 will be 11.7% lower than 2022.
The ITC is scheduled to vote on its preliminary determination in the case on May 17, 2024.