Several trade issues are on hold until after Congress reconvenes after Election Day. These issues include the Peru Trade Promotion Agreement; a possible extension of the Andean Trade Preferences Act (ATPA) and the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), both of which are scheduled to expire on December 31; and a miscellaneous tariff bill. Also on the Congressional plate are the Colombia Free Trade Agreement (which has been completed but not signed), a bill granting permanent normal trade relations with Vietnam, and a bill that would make certain adjustments to the African Growth and Opportunity Act.

It’s expected some but not necessarily all of these matters will be addressed in a “lame-duck” session of Congress that’s expected to begin Nov. 13. The general feeling is the session will go on longer and cover more ground if the Republicans keep control of both the House and Senate.

AFI has been working with others to urge a “bridge” of preferential tariff treatment for imports from Peru and Colombia between the scheduled expiration of the ATPA and the implementation of the Peru and Colombia agreements. Neither of these agreements will be implemented prior to the first quarter of 2007, probably several months later. The other two ATPA beneficiaries, Ecuador and Bolivia, are in a more “hazardous” position since they are not currently negotiating free trade agreements with the United States. Members are advised to act prudently in their commercial dealings with Peru, Colombia, Ecuador and Bolivia and to maximize their entries from these countries prior to Dec. 31.

Similar caution should be used for products currently eligible for GSP. While prospects for GSP renewal look much better today than a couple of months ago, no action will take place until Congress reconvenes. AFI is participating in a coalition working for GSP extension and will keep members apprised of any developments.

President Bush signed into law the U.S.-Oman free trade agreement. The agreement, the first Congress has approved since Ambassador Schwab became U.S. Trade Representative in June, is the fifth in the region. According to a USTR press statement, the approval of the agreement marks another step toward the president’s objective of establishing a Middle East Free Trade Area by 2013.

AFI NEWS

The 2007 AFI Convention will take place April 26-29 at the Resort at Longboat Key Club in Longboat Key, Florida. This AAA Four-Diamond, beachfront resort enjoys a position of prominence at the southern tip of beautiful Longboat Key on Southwest Florida’s coast. The resort is perfectly situated near the abundant cultural activities of Sarasota and just one mile from the fine shops, galleries and restaurants of St. Armands Circle. With one of the largest tennis facilities in Florida, forty-five holes of golf and a beautiful new 9,000 square-foot spa, this full-service resort offers something for everyone. The discounted room rate is $245 ($265 for a beach-view club suite).

The convention will kick off Thursday evening with a welcoming reception. Presentations and meetings will take place Friday and Saturday mornings, with sporting activities and evening receptions on Friday and Saturday and a dinner Saturday evening. The convention committee is busy lining up the program. Complete details will be mailed shortly and available on AFI’s web site.

AFI HOSTS RECEPTION AT SIAL IN PARIS

Many thanks to the following members who helped sponsor the reception:

The receptions serve as a gathering place at the close of the show and allow members to meet and interact with other members and get caught up on AFI happenings. More than 120 people attended this year’s reception. If attending ANUGA next year, be sure to look for details on the reception to be held there.

AFI TO HOST RECEPTION
AT SIAL IN MONTREAL

IMPORTERS, AFI PARTICIPATE
IN INDIAN CASHEW CONFERENCE

AFI MEMBERS MEET WITH
VIETNAMESE ASSOCIATION

AFI cashew importers met Oct. 9 with the Vietnamese Cashew Association. Approximately 25 representatives from Vietnam attended the meeting. More than 30 representatives from other AFI member firms attended as well. The meeting served as a forum to discuss Vietnam’s growing role in the cashew industry.

HEALTH NEWS

STUDY SHOWS OLIVE OIL CONSUMPTION
BOOSTS ANTIOXIDANT DEFENSES

Tyrosol, the most abundant biophenol in olive oil, could boost a cell’s antioxidant defenses, despite only being a weak antioxidant itself, according to a new study. “These findings give further evidence in favor of olive oil consumption to counteract cardiovascular diseases,” wrote lead author Roberta Di Benedetto from Italy’s National Centre for Food Quality and Risk Assessment.

Consumers receive so much fragmented information about the nutritional value and health risks associated with fish and shellfish that it can result in confusion or misperceptions about this food source, says a new report by the Institute of Medicine. The report offers examples of how such information might be presented in a more coherent way to the public.

Much of the evidence on seafood’s health benefits and risks is preliminary or insufficient, the committee found. Reliable data on the distribution of some contaminants is lacking and there is little evidence on how beneficial effects of seafood might counteract some of the risks from contaminants.

However, the committee confirmed eating fish and shellfish may reduce people’s overall risk for developing heart disease. It is not certain whether this is because substituting the lean protein of seafood for fatty cuts of meat reduces consumers’ intake of saturated fat and cholesterol or because of the protective effects of omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in relatively high amounts in many fish species.

The report supports current dietary guidelines and seafood advisories. However, the committee’s interpretation of the risks and benefits differs in that it consolidates information on both risks and benefits for sensitive population groups and addresses all segments of the population.

For more information on this study, visit the AFI website at www.afius.org.

With potential health benefits ranging in scope from prebiotic to antioxidant, honey could be substituted for sugar, according to a new study.

“Because honey has potential health benefits and induces a similar glycemic response, substituting honey in place of sugar may be warranted,” wrote lead author Jennifer Ilana Ischayek from San Diego State University.

Interest in honey has been increasing as researchers discover diversifying health benefits. Just last year researchers from Purdue University reported honey, in combination with calcium supplements, increased the quantity of calcium absorbed and could therefore play a role in boosting bone health.

The use of glycemic index (GI) ranks carbohydrates according to their ability to affect blood glucose. The new research, funded by the U.S. National Honey Board, analyzed the GI of four U.S. honey varieties (clover, buckwheat, cotton, and tupelo) in 12 healthy adults. The fructose-to-glucose ratios were found to be 1.09, 1.12, 1.03, 1.54, respectively.

The average glycemic index for all four honeys was 72.5 (69.2–74.1). “While there does not appear to be a lower glycemic response for the varieties of honeys tested here vs. glycemic index values previously reported for sucrose, honey may provide some nutritional advantages over some refined sweeteners, such as table sugar,” said Ischayek. “For example, honey, especially darker varieties such as buckwheat honey, possesses natural antioxidants that can decrease oxidative stress in humans. “Honey also provides prebiotic properties on bifidobacteria, which can help improve gut health,” she said.

MEMBER NEWS

NEW PRESIDENT
AT MFI

Mr. Newnham brings to Mitsui Foods, Inc. extensive experience within the packaged goods and food industry. He has served as president, CEO and/or chairman of Lea & Perrins (worcestershire sauce), B. Manischewitz Co. (Kosher foods), Steak-umm Co. (producer of frozen sliced steak), Adirondack Beverages (beverage distribution), Wilkinson Sword (shaving), and Tsumura International (fine bath products and home fragrances).

Most recently Mr. Newnham was an advisor and partner with Post Capital Partners. Prior to that, he was the point person in the acquisition of the Steak-umm Company, Inc.

“My primary role will be to organize and lead an acquisition program that focuses on specialty distributors and branded food companies that can gain from the breadth of global experience offered by Mitsui Foods, Inc.,” said Mr. Newnham. He continued, “Mitsui Foods offers tremendous growth potential, not only through acquisitions, but through new products within the food service, retail and national accounts sectors.”

PORT JERSEY LOGISTICS NAMED
AMONG TOP 50 PROS TO KNOW

Port Jersey Logistics was named one of the Top 50 3PL’s servicing the food industry. In the August 2006 edition of Food Logistics Magazine, Port Jersey Logistics and 49 other third-party logistics service providers throughout the country were highlighted as leaders in this segment. Port Jersey is the only [asset-based] N.J. company included on the list.

Port Jersey’s president, Robert M. Russo, stated that “with over 50 years of experience servicing food manufactures, importers and distributors, we have proven ourselves to be a valuable resource to our customers and their customers”.

Port Jersey Logistics provides a fully integrated suite of logistics services including warehousing, transportation, and freight brokerage.

MEMBERSHIP NEWS

NEW MEMBERS

The following companies were approved for membership in AFI by the Board of Directors at its September 12 meeting.

Tugrul Tarim A.S., Salthli, Mantsa, Turkey – processor/exporter of dried fruits, including raisins, apricots and figs