KENNETT SQUARE, PA — South Mill Champs says a preliminary U.S. trade ruling targeting Canadian mushroom imports could increase costs for buyers and establish a legal precedent with implications that extend beyond the mushroom industry to agricultural producers across North America.
The Kennett Square-based mushroom producer is challenging a preliminary countervailing duty determination issued by the U.S. Department of Commerce involving fresh mushroom imports from Canada. The trade case was initiated by competitor Giorgio Fresh Co.
Under the preliminary ruling, U.S. importers of affected Canadian mushrooms became subject to cash duty deposit requirements, which began on May 18. Those additional costs could ultimately be passed on to consumers through higher prices at grocery stores and restaurants…