Brasília - The Brazilian shrimp industry (ABCC) is concerned about a possible charge of dumping which may be made by their counterparts in the southern United States. The charge is that Brazilians are selling white shrimp in the US at prices lower than they are sold domestically in Brazil.

Itamar Rocha, the president of the ABCC, denies the charge. "Not only is there no dumping, but the Brazilian shrimp industry is highly competitive and operates without government subsidies," he says, adding that the Americans are trying to hold back imports from Brazil where the shrimp industry has been growing at 50% a year.

A formal request for anti-dumping action by the Americans has not been made, but if it materializes it will be detrimental to Brazil and some other 11 shrimp exporters in Asian and Latin America. "We are not looking for a fight. But if the US shrimp industry wants one we will fight to the end," says Rocha.

Approximately 47% of Brazilian shrimp production is exported to the United States. In 2002, total production in Brazil of so-called white shrimp was 60,000 tons. This year production should reach 90,000 tons. (AB)