American Frozen Food Institute Leads Food Industry Effort Urging Congress to Approve Pending Free Trade Agreements

MCLEAN, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) and a group of 14 key food industry trade associations wrote the leaders of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives today urging them to approve pending free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea.

“The passage of free trade agreements with these countries will help that figure continue to grow, and will reduce or eliminate duties on several frozen food exports currently subject to significant tariffs.”

“America’s food and beverage companies export more than $2 billion worth of products to Colombia, Panama and South Korea every year,” said AFFI President and CEO Kraig R. Naasz. “The passage of free trade agreements with these countries will help that figure continue to grow, and will reduce or eliminate duties on several frozen food exports currently subject to significant tariffs.”

The letter notes the economic impact of the packaged food industry, including 1.7 million manufacturing jobs, or 14 percent of total U.S. manufacturing jobs. In addition, annual exports total over $50 billion and reach consumers in more than 200 countries. In 2010, processed food exports of over $50 billion exceeded food imports by over $10 billion. “Very simply,” states the letter, “our industry is one of our nation’s few net exporters.”

The group is urging Congress to take swift action on all three pending trade agreements, noting Colombia, Panama and South Korea all have, or are pursuing, free trade pacts with some of the United States’ biggest economic competitors.

Lastly, the group urges Congress to approve long-term extensions of the Andean Trade Preferences and Drug Eradication Act and the Generalized System of Preferences, which would allow for more economic sourcing of inputs for U.S. businesses.

Joining the American Frozen Food Institute on the letter were the American Bakers Association, American Beverage Association, American Meat Institute, Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, Grocery Manufacturers Association, International Dairy Foods Association, National Chicken Council, National Confectioners Association, National Fisheries Institute, National Frozen Pizza Institute, National Turkey Federation, Pet Food Institute, Snack Food Association and Sweetener Users Association.

A copy of the food industry letter is available here.

The American Frozen Food Institute is the national trade association promoting and representing the interests of all segments of the frozen food industry. AFFI works to foster industry development and growth, and advocates before legislative and regulatory entities on the industry’s behalf. More information can be found at www.affi.com.