Italian processed tomatoes continue to hold a strong position in the Australian market, supported by consumer demand for quality and lower-priced imported products. However, according to the Australian Dumping Commission's preliminary findings, current import volumes have not yet demonstrated material injury to the domestic industry, a requirement for imposing anti-dumping duties.
The investigation was initiated at the request of SPC, a major Victorian processor operating under the Ardmona brand. It covers Italian products exported between 1 October 2023 and 30 September 2024 by De Clemente Conserve, IMCA, and Mutti. A separate review involving La Doria was closed earlier after no irregularities were identified.
Preliminary calculations show dumping margins ranging from 2.3 per cent to 5.5 per cent. The report highlights the scale advantage of Italian processors, noting 5.3 million tons of production in 2024 compared with Australia's 438,000 tons. During the period under review, SPC recorded reduced market share, lower profitability, and reduced plant utilisation. Total sales volumes fell 13 per cent year-on-year and 20 per cent over the review window.
Despite these declines, the Commissioner did not conclude that dumped Italian imports were the cause of material injury to the Australian industry. Although subsidies were identified for all Italian exporters examined, the margins were considered negligible for the investigation.
The inquiry will now move to its final stage. Companies involved have been invited to respond by early December. The Commission will then provide its final recommendations to the Minister for Industry and Innovation by 28 January 2026.
Discussions on the Italian, Australian tomato trade have occurred for several years, with Australian authorities closely monitoring imported product and subsidy structures within European agricultural policy. In 2017, Australia revoked or reduced anti-dumping measures in earlier cases involving red canned tomatoes after determining that European support for Italian processing tomatoes did not distort the market.
Responding to the preliminary findings, SPC Global CEO Robert Iervasi said he was "respectful, but disappointed with the initial findings." He added, "We will review the Statement of Material Facts in detail, and will continue to cooperate constructively with the Commission during the remaining stages of the investigation."
Source: 24 ORE
