Following President Donald Trump’s announcement of 10% tariffs on imports from more than 50 countries, produce industry organizations pointed to the importance that exports to Canada and Mexico were not impacted due to the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.
International Fresh Produce Association CEO Cathy Burns expressed appreciation for the administration’s continued trade of fresh fruits and vegetables under the USMCA. Burns said fresh fruits, vegetables and florals are highly traded commodities in North America.
“Reducing trade barriers ensures that consumers continue to have access to fresh, affordable produce and floral products while supporting the growers and businesses that sustain the industry,” she said. “However, IFPA remains concerned about the broader application of tariffs on global trading partners and the resulting disruptions to supply chains, market stability and food prices worldwide. The global trade of fresh produce is essential to the health and well-being of people in every nation.”
Burns said while targeted use of tariffs can address inequalities between trading partners, broad application can disrupt markets, raise costs and place unnecessary strain on growers and producers.
“Fresh produce trade is uniquely complex, shaped by seasonal and regional factors that require a well-functioning market for year-round availability,” she said. “Once businesses lose market share, reclaiming it is difficult — if not impossible — dealing a lasting blow to an industry vital to food security and economic stability.”
Burns said IFPA looks forward to working with the administration for long-term solutions that benefit the fresh produce industry, including equitable trade agreements, regulatory reform and policies that promote a stable agricultural workforce.
Jim Bair, president and CEO of the U.S. Apple Association (USApple), said the U.S. apple industry’s top export markets of Mexico, Canada, Taiwan Vietnam and India, which have been impacted by the tariffs, combined to purchase $756 million in U.S. apples in 2024.
“We support holding trading partners accountable. Countries that would be ideal markets for U.S. apples shut us out due to non-tariff trade barriers,” Bair said. “That’s why USApple strongly supported the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which is working well, and those countries remain our largest export destinations.”
The association, which represents more than 26,000 apple growers and more than 3,700 apple-related companies, recently held its Capitol Hill Day where members conducted than 100 meetings with House and Senate offices to stress the importance of trade for the U.S. apple industry.
“As we painfully experienced with India in the past, U.S. tariffs can trigger retaliatory measures that restrict access to key export markets and harm apple growers across the country,” Bair said. “It’s critical for the health of the entire U.S. apple industry to maintain strong, stable trade relationships with all of our current and potential export partners.”
Rick Kushmanm manager of media relations and global communications for the Almond Board of California said the organization will closely monitor the Trump administration’s announcement to understand the implications of the tariffs imposed.
“Like many, we need to evaluate the complete list of markets and relevant tariffs to determine the impact on imported materials,” he said, “California almonds are shipped to more than 100 destinations. Maintaining a diverse export program is essential. We will continue to work with our trade partners around the globe to determine what actions may be taken in our export markets.”
