AMS Seeks More Comments on Addition of Frozen Mangoes to Promotion Order

The Agricultural Marketing Service is postponing a referendum allowing importers and domestic producers of fresh and frozen mangoes covered by a national research and promotion order to vote on whether to continue including frozen mangoes in the program. AMS added frozen mangoes in a final rule that took effect March 25, beginning assessments of a $0.01 per pound fee on imports of frozen mangoes that had previously been assessed only on fresh mangoes. Imports of less than 200,000 pounds of frozen mangoes per year are exempt from assessments. Previously set for March 25 through April 12, the referendum will now be conducted May 13 through June 3, AMS said.