Mexican Tomato Growers Urge Cancellation of US Tariff Amid Trade Tensions

Mexican tomato producers are urging the US government to reconsider a proposed tariff of 20.91% on tomato imports, set to take effect on July 14. The move comes amid concerns from Florida farmers, who claim that Mexican tomatoes are being unfairly sold at lower prices—an accusation known as “dumping”—which they argue undercuts local prices and damages their businesses.

This potential tariff would reverse a trade agreement made in 2019 during the Trump administration, which temporarily lifted such tariffs to facilitate smoother trade between the two nations.

Julio Berdegué, Mexico’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development, rejected the accusations, calling them “baseless.” He stressed that the imposition of the tariff would ultimately harm American consumers, as approximately 90% of tomatoes imported into the US come from Mexico. He pointed out that six out of every 10 tomatoes consumed in the US are of Mexican origin. “This would mean US consumers would pay nearly 21% more for tomatoes,” he explained.

Berdegué also highlighted the significant reliance Mexico has on the US market, with 99.8% of its tomato exports directed north. In 2023, Mexico exported approximately $2.56 billion worth of tomatoes to the United States, according to Data México, an official government platform.

The proposed tariff is expected to have an immediate impact in states like Baja California, which harvests tomatoes in July, as well as other regions in Mexico’s Bajío area. States such as Sinaloa and Sonora, major tomato producers, are not affected in July due to the extreme heat that limits production during that month.

In Baja California, the Agricultural Council warned that the tariff could put as many as half a million jobs at risk. Alejandro Ruíz Uribe, the state’s sole federal delegate, emphasized that the government is already providing support to the agricultural sector in Baja California and is working to diversify production, particularly in crops like corn and beans.

Ricardo Ramonet Rascón, president of the Association of Agricultural Organisations of Northern Sonora (AOANS), echoed concerns about the tariff’s impact. “This tariff is specifically aimed at tomatoes, and it could severely affect our producers,” he said. However, he noted that some indoor vegetable growers, who focus on tomato cultivation, are in talks with the US Secretary of Commerce, hoping to prevent the tariff from being implemented at such a high rate.

Despite these concerns, the Mexican government remains optimistic about reaching a resolution with US authorities, stressing that the tariff would ultimately lead to higher prices for American consumers without addressing the underlying issues.