by Mónica Cordero, Examine Midwest/Report for America, Examine Midwest
Might 28, 2025
by Mónica Cordero, Examine Midwest/Report for America, Examine Midwest
Might 28, 2025
Tomatoes, present in every part from tacos to soups, are abruptly on the heart of a brand new value concern, not due to crop failure, however due to tariffs. The Trump administration’s plan to impose steep levies on contemporary Mexico-grown tomatoes, which provide many of the U.S. market, might drive up costs for eating places, grocers, and households alike.
On April 14, the Commerce Division introduced it might start imposing a 20.91% tariff on most tomatoes imported from Mexico beginning July 14. The choice ends a 2019 settlement that had suspended earlier commerce penalties, with officers arguing the pact failed to guard American producers from a contest surge from low-cost Mexican tomatoes.
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“The present settlement has failed to guard U.S. tomato growers from unfairly priced Mexican imports, as Commerce has been flooded with feedback from them urging its termination,” the division stated in a launch. “This motion will enable U.S. tomato growers to compete pretty within the market.”
Practically 9 out of 10 tomatoes imported into the USA final yr got here from Mexico, based on commerce figures from the U.S. Census Bureau. Canada, the second-largest provider, accounted for simply 13%, a distant runner-up in a market dominated by its southern neighbor.
Tomatoes, though technically a fruit, are one of the extensively consumed greens within the nation, with 31.4 kilos per particular person, based on the U.S. Division of Agriculture.
U.S. tomato growers as soon as dominated the market, supplying 80% in 1994. As we speak, Mexico controls over 65% of the market, and the U.S. share has dropped to only above 30%, based on the Florida Tomato Change. In the meantime, Florida and California collectively account for greater than two-thirds of the nation’s fresh-tomato acreage.
“Until we even the taking part in area when it comes to truthful pricing, you’re not going to have a home business for contemporary tomatoes within the very close to future,” Robert Guenther, the Florida Tomato Change’s govt vp, stated in an interview with the Related Press.
Mexico is looking for to barter the brand new tariff on its tomato exports, which was imposed over allegations of dumping. In response, the Mexican authorities has identified that it, too, has energetic commerce circumstances accusing the USA of promoting hen and pork legs in Mexico at unfairly low costs.
“There is no such thing as a substitute for Mexican tomatoes within the U.S., besides maybe a small proportion that comes primarily from Florida. However the quantity of tomatoes exported to the U.S. can’t be changed by another supply,” President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico, stated throughout her morning press convention in April.
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