Mango Promotion, Research, and Information Order; Amendment to Include Frozen Mangos

June 28, 2018 Secretary Sonny Perdue U.S. Department of Agriculture 1400 Independence Avenue SW Washington, DC 20250 Re: Amendment to Include Frozen Mangos in Mango Promotion, Research and Information Order (Document No. AMS-SC-17-0002) Dear Secretary Perdue: The American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) appreciates the opportunity to submit comments concerning the proposed rule on amending the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) - Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) regulations regarding inclusion of frozen mangos as a covered commodity in its fresh mango national research and promotion program. AFFI is the member-driven national trade association that advances the interests of all segments of the frozen food and beverage industry. The U.S. frozen food and beverage industry employs 670,000 people across the United States and throughout its supply chain, and pays more than $11 billion in taxes. AFFI members export over $620 million annually worldwide in frozen fruits and vegetables alone. In its order, AMS provided an overview of the fresh mango research and promotion program, which is administered by the Mango Board with oversight by USDA. The program took effect in November 2004, with accountability for collecting an assessment of $0.0075 per pound from importers and first handlers of fresh mangos. The assessments are used by the Board for projects designed to maintain and expand existing markets for fresh mangos in the United States. The Board notes the increase in both the volume of fresh mangos imported to the United States (from 575 million pounds to almost 985 million pounds) and the increase in price per pound of fresh mangos (from $0.29 to $0.43) between 2005 and 2016. Assessment revenue under the program reached over $7 million in 2016, the majority of which was collected from importers (less than one percent of the total assessments were from domestic handlers). In its overview, the order highlights Mango Boards investment of over $34 million since 2008 to help increase mango consumption among U.S. consumers, largely by way of promotional but also some educational programs. It is estimated that for every dollar spent by the Mango board, approximately 11 to 12 times was generated in sales. AMS and the Board ascribe the success of the fresh mango research and promotion program in raising demand not only of fresh mangos but also of the processed mango market (frozen, canned, and juice). Data cited in the order reflects an increase in imports of frozen mangos from 32 million pounds to 118 million pounds as well as increase in price per pound (from $0.46 to $0.86) between 2005 and 2016. These data points led the board to recommend the amendment to include frozen mangos in the assessment program. Please see the attached document for AFFI's detailed comments.