UK lifts tariff on California prune juice

The California Prune Board (CPB) has welcomed UK Government’s decision to suspend the UK import tariff on prune juice and prune juice concentrate. The announcement follows an application led by the CPB through the Nut & Dried Fruit Trade Association (NDFTA), on behalf of its UK trade members.

Expected to come into effect from 11 April 2024, the suspension sees the removal of the 16 per cent tariff on prune juice and prune juice concentrate (commodity code 2009 8999 99) until at least 30 June 2026.

Esther Ritson-Elliott, director of international marketing & communications for the CPB, said: “The tariff suspension on prune juice and prune juice concentrate is positive news for the California Prune industry and the UK trade. It gives us a level playing field with the likes of Chile and France while providing UK consumers with more choice and greater access to a nutritious product.”

The prune juice tariff suspension follows last year’s removal of the 8 per cent tariff on the import of US prunes, which will remain effective until at least 31 December 2024.

Ritson-Elliott added: “California Prunes are grown and harvested in world-leading conditions, which results in exceptional taste and consistent sizing, underpinned with reliability of supply. The removal of tariffs on dried prunes and now prune juice and prune juice concentrate is a real boost for the industry and comes at a time when UK consumers are showing an increasing interest in natural and healthy food and drink.”