Indonesia accused of dumping dry pasta

JAKARTA (JP): Three Australian dry pasta companies accused Indonesia and Italy of having dumped their exports of dry pasta products into their country.

The three companies, Nestle Ltd., San Remus Coy. and Uncle Toby's Ltd., said their products were taking a beating at local markets by the influx of much cheaper dry pastas from Indonesia and Italy.

They lodged their complaints with the Australian Anti-Dumping Agency, which then sent envoys to Indonesia and Italy to investigate the dumping allegations.

If the investigation proves that Indonesia and Italy have been dumping their dry pasta products into Australia, the agency said it would impose anti-dumping tariffs on dry pasta from the two countries, including on those still being held by the customs office.

Antara reported from Canberra yesterday that Australia's customs office detained containers of dry pasta from Indonesia and Italy after receiving dumping complaints from the three Australian companies.

The withheld dry pasta containers were sent by PT Bogasari of Indonesia and a number of Italian companies under the names of Macaroni Shells, Fettucine and Spaghetti.

Australia last year imported a total of A$17.74 million (US$13.1 million) worth of dry pasta products, of which 56 percent came from Italy and only five percent from Indonesia. (rid)