Newspaper Article

Free trade floods U.S. with imported food

Guebert, Alan

2003

Overview

For example, 8.7 percent of all beef consumed in the United States in 1980 was imported; in 2001 that import share stood at 11.6 percent. In round numbers, that means per capita consumption of imported beef rose 33 percent in the last two decades. The Economic Research Service pegs the current value of those beef imports at $2.2 billion, a handsome sum in the chronically depressed domestic cattle market. The story is even more dramatic for imported pork and lamb consumption. In 1980, 3.3 percent of all pork consumed per capita in the United States was imported; in 2001 the figure was 54 percent higher, or 5.1 percent. Likewise, 9.5 percent of all lamb eaten in the United States in 1980 was imported. In 2001, 40 percent was imported. U.S. meat producers aren't the only farmers getting nipped by rising imports.Indeed, U.S. fruit and vegetable growers are being slaughtered by imports. In 1980, 5.8 percent of the per capita consumption of fresh and frozen fruits in theUnited States was imported; in 2001 it was 23.1 percent. Likewise, 16.6 percent of all vegetables you eat today is imported; 20 years ago only 5.9 percent ofveggies eaten in the United States was imported.

• Publisher: Lee Enterprises, Inc
• Subject: Tonelson, Alan