Imports and Exports

Is Global Trade Volatility Putting the U.S. Fresh Produce Industry at Risk?

Mon, 11 May 2026 22:06:26 GMT

Editor’s Note: This is the latest report in a series that explores the shifting economic landscape of the specialty crop industry.

When asked to describe the current state of the global fresh produce industry and trade, some people have used words like “uncertainty,” “volatility” and “complex.”

Whether it’s navigating reciprocal tariffs or rising fuel charges during the unrest in the Middle East, produce industry insiders say those issues put the global fresh produce industry in the hot seat.

Jonathan Coppess, Gardner associate professor of agricultural policy at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, says regardless of the commodity, the current state of growing “is a level of chaos and uncertainty that ... you’re trying to manage in an operation that itself is full of risk.”

“This has been a tough climate to operate your business in,” says Anthony Serafino, president of the Exp Group, a multinational company specializing in the production, importation and distribution of tropical fruits and vegetables from Central and South America. “Geopolitical issues are the biggest headwind you can face in running a business. A lot of things are out of your control.”

Why Export Markets Dictate Domestic Produce Prices

Exports are a critical part of the fresh produce industry. U.S. Apple Association President and CEO Jim Bair says if export markets tighten, more fruit stays in the domestic market; that puts downward pressure on prices, which hurts growers.

“There’s really nothing hidden about the threat of trade volatility for apple growers,” he says. “When markets become unstable, the consequences are immediate and visible: lost sales, lower prices, disrupted customer relationships and even more pressure on already razor-thin margins.”

Washington Apple Commission President Michael Schadler also points out that one state’s exports can impact the country’s other growers who don’t export.

“An economic study from years ago found that if 5 million boxes of fresh apples destined for the export market were instead added to the domestic market, the income loss to growers would be about $55 million,” he says.

Long Road to Market Recovery

Bair says the U.S. apple industry continues to navigate the fallout from 2018 retaliatory tariffs from India, where the country pushed the total duty on U.S. apples to 70%. Before 2018, India was the No. 2 export market for U.S. apples — and growing fast. USApple worked with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to lift these retaliatory tariffs, which reopened the market in 2023.

“By 2025, India had climbed back to the No. 5 export destination for U.S. apples, buying roughly 2.2 million bushels worth nearly $40 million in 2024-25,” he says. “That is a meaningful rebound, but it remains well below the predisruption peak, underscoring how difficult it is to regain market share once competitors establish themselves.”

Schadler highlights just how deep that disruption went for Pacific Northwest growers, as the tariff effectively slashed exports from 8 million boxes to virtually zero overnight.

“The global apple market is very competitive, and once you lose market share, it can be very hard to get it back,” he says.

Riley Bushue, vice president of the Northwest Horticultural Council, estimates a $900 million loss since 2018 due to restricted access to China. The industry now looks to unlock expanded access to other markets to fill that gap.

“You’re trying to offset what has been lost and continues to be lost over and over in China every year,” he says.

Navigating High Tariffs and the Race for Global Market Access

Bushue estimates the U.S. exports its apples, pears and cherries to nearly 50 countries around the world, and he says it’s important for the industry to remove trade barriers and expand access.

“We’re looking at places where, as an industry, we can compete and maintain that competitiveness in the face of trade barriers, removing those trade barriers,” he says. “Because at the end of the day, we’re a high-cost-of-production product. We’re not going to be the low-cost supplier in these markets. So, remaining competitive is the important focus point.”

Bushue says the U.S. often has no tariffs on imported produce, but countries such as Thailand put a 40% tariff on imported cherries without a domestic production and a 40-year struggle to get access to South Korea.

He says growers will ask him, “Why is it that the United States can find a way to sell a nuclear attack submarine to Australia, but we can’t sell them an apple? And why is it China has access to Australia, but we don’t?” And they often express frustration at how long it takes to realize trade deals.

“There is a real concern bordering on frustration with, you know, the need for expanding these markets — just the pace of how things have been for a long time,” he says, noting there has been positive momentum with some of the newly announced trade deals. “It’s a robust trade policy from the U.S. to go after these long-standing and unfair trade barriers.”

Schadler points to promising deals with Taiwan, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and Cambodia. For example, the U.S.-Taiwan Agreement on Reciprocal Trade would eliminate a 20% tariff on U.S. apples.

Bushue agrees, noting, “It’s a direct result of the U.S. trying to increase leverage on these to get these things resolved.”

Protecting the North American Supply Chain

Mexico and Canada remain the U.S. fresh produce industry’s most vital partners. Mexico accounts for approximately 40% of all U.S. apple exports; combined with Canada, it represents more than 50% of the export market. And as Mexico, Canada and the U.S. come together to renegotiate the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement, any disruption to that tariff-free framework could harm U.S. exports.

“The biggest risk is any disruption to the stable, tariff-free framework that has allowed Mexico and Canada to become our top two export markets,” Bushue says. “Even the introduction of uncertainty creates a risk. Once buyers begin to question whether the North American market will remain stable and tariff-free, purchasing patterns can shift quickly.”

It was a tough year for the watermelon industry last year, says George Szczepanski, executive director of the National Watermelon Association. Cold weather leading into Memorial Day 2025 meant people weren’t necessarily thinking watermelons. And, he says, the industry also faced pressure from Canadian tariffs.

“If we are pushing Canada to the point where they are saying every watermelon costs 25% more, it’s hurting this domestic industry,” he says.

Watermelon exports to Canada are an important part of trade for U.S. watermelon growers, some of whom import melons from Mexico and Central America. This global watermelon industry means trade dynamics can be high stakes when it comes to fresh produce.

But Szczepanski says he sees the reasoning behind this volatility.

“We all think that what we’re doing now is just really counterintuitive and does not make sense the way that traditional trade economics have been taught and delivered and structured,” Szczepanski says. “This more aggressive setup — really trying to protect the domestic industry — there’s a logic behind it.”

And the aggressive trade strategy might have a different impact on manufacturing or other items traded on the global stage, but the volatility might be a valuable tool in negotiation; it’s not always the best for fresh produce, which has such a short life cycle.

“When changes in trade dynamics happen, and things are already planted and it is harvested and cut, and you have a ticking time bomb — in terms of what revenue you can or you cannot capture from the minute that it’s cut from the vine or plucked from the bush or the tree — the uncertainty is, it’s just one more problem for produce that we just don’t have the bandwidth for,” Szczepanski says.

Rising Costs and the Threat of Imports

Beyond trade policy, growers and importers are facing higher costs. Serafino of Exp Group says fuel expenses are increasing month over month, adding that bunker fuel prices are up, and that also hits imported produce, and large multinational companies are all increasing fuel surcharges.

Serafino says as diesel prices increase, his company now has to calculate weekly freight charges, which it has never had to do. He says fuel expenses have increased month over month by thousands of dollars, and that’s just not something his company can absorb.

“For the first time in our company’s history, we’re adjusting logistics costs weekly — not monthly, not quarterly, weekly — and that’s how we’re operating,” he says. “Our delivery costs are switching on a weekly basis.”

On top of rising fuel charges, the unrest in the Middle East also affects fertilizer prices, plastic packaging and more.

“I guess if there’s any silver lining in this situation, [it] is that if you can operate a business in this type of environment, you’re Teflon,” he says.

Coppess says those rising costs of fuel charges come at a cost.

“You got all the diesel you need to ship,” he says. “You got all the fossil fuels that go into fertilizer and chemical production. Everything is wrapped in plastic, which is made from oil.”

Coppess says he’s also concerned that as the industry struggles to break tough inflationary pressures, chaos will become quid pro quo.

“I also worry that we’ll normalize it,” he says. “We only outrun the pain of that for so long, yeah — and it’s usually not very long.

Balancing Year-Round Availability With Domestic Survival

Coppess notes that even if the U.S. successfully negotiates better trade deals, the domestic grower might still end up as the casualty. He warns that focusing solely on the “balance of trade” can be a deceptive metric if it ignores who is actually growing the food.

“While the balance of trade might improve, it might have more dire consequences for growers and the domestic fresh produce industry,” Coppess says. “If the balance of trade overall is better ... but we’re importing more food, that may not be an ideal situation.”

Schadler says that as production costs continue to rise, it puts the U.S. apple industry in a vulnerable position.

“It’s not that hard to imagine a scenario in the future when the high cost of U.S. production creates an opportunity for imported apples, which could eventually pose a meaningful threat to domestic apple production,” he says. “I’m not forecasting that, but there are certainly other fruit and vegetable crops in the U.S. that have experienced that dynamic over the last few decades.”

And it’s happening in other commodities. Bret Erickson, senior vice president of Business Affairs for Little Bear Produce, points to USDA Economic Research Service data that reveals that domestic specialty crop production has declined from 193 billion pounds in 2012 to 155 billion pounds just 10 years later. He says the data also shows that fruit and vegetable exports from Mexico to the U.S. have increased from $4 billion to $20 billion over roughly the same period.

“That growth has fundamentally reshaped the U.S. produce market,” he says. “That’s not a coincidence; it reflects a policy environment where domestic production is becoming less competitive, and imports are replacing domestically grown.”

Little Bear Produce imports greens, onions and melons from Mexico to complement its domestic programs in Texas and New Jersey. Erickson says these imports help the company serve as a year-round supplier to retailers.

“Having reliable suppliers who deliver on quality, strong food safety and consistency is efficient and good business sense,” he says. “Buyers want a trusted source for their product.”

Erickson says while consumers have high expectations of produce availability year-round, regardless of the crop, this fuels the need for imports to balance out domestic production. But, he says, the cost of production and the regulatory burdens growers face have made it a challenge to profitably grow produce in the U.S. (Future stories in this series will look at both the cost of production and regulatory burdens on growers.)

“I think we should all be worried that we are more reliant than ever on other countries to supply our food, particularly healthy, whole foods like fruits and vegetables,” he says. “Nutritional security and food security is national security. That phrase has almost become something of a cliché, but clichés exist for a reason; there is typically a lot of truth to them.”

Nick Oomen’s family business grows organic cabbage, zucchini, yellow squash and bell peppers, as well as conventional asparagus, butternut and acorn squash, broccoli, green beans, carrots, potatoes and jack-o’-lantern pumpkins.

Oomen, a fourth-generation specialty crop grower with West MI Produce in Hart, Mich., says his family has struggled to compete with Mexican and Peruvian asparagus imports.

“My family owns an IQF freezer for frozen vegetables,” he says. “We just can’t compete with them on the price, because they can deliver it cheaper than we can. … They can pay their labor force 10% of what I have to pay mine. They’re just at a competitive advantage with their cost of labor compared to what we’re doing.

“All we can do is try to put a product in the store as cheaply as we possibly can, and hope that we can hang on,” he adds.

Oomen says he’s not advocating for the banning of imports but rather to have a level playing field for domestic commodities.

“It does get to a point where there’s certain advantages other countries have that we don’t have here,” he says.

Marc Arnusch, a third-generation seed wheat, barley, craft grains, silage corn, alfalfa and former onion grower in Prospect Valley, Colo., says he used to see imported onions at his local grocery store right down the road.

“That was a tough, tough pill to swallow,” he says. “The overwhelming majority of our onions were shipped outside of the state. There were very few that actually stayed in the state. So, to have these low-cost and, in some cases, different kinds of offerings coming from out of the country is tough to compete with.”

Sixth-generation grower Lisa Tate, managing owner of Rancho Filoso, says the market has changed rapidly for lemons, with Argentinian lemons flooding the market and putting extreme pressure on U.S. growers.

Tate, who grows citrus, avocados and pomegranates in Ventura County, Calif., says when the U.S. opened lemon imports from Argentina in early 2018, the market deteriorated rapidly. However, 2019 was when the volume really impacted U.S. growers.

“If the lemons get here and they don’t have a good price for it, they’re not going to turn around and ship them back,” she says. “They’re just going to dump them here in the market. That’s going to lower the price for everybody.”

Tate says it’s time for consumers to understand where their fresh produce truly comes from and decide to support domestic production.

“If the United States is the biggest consumer and everybody wants to import their stuff, then there’s got to be some way that we can help support locally grown stuff,” she says. “We have to look out for our farmers if we as a nation decide that this is valuable.”

Tate says this might mean consumers have to pay more for domestic produce, with the understanding that it benefits U.S. growers. She says something as simple as a few more cents per lemon is all it would take.

“I really do believe people would be willing to pay that amount,” she says. “I think we can do it as a country. It’s a solvable problem.”

The New Ag Economy: Why This Downturn is a Structural Shift, Not Just a Cycle

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 21:22:20 GMT

What You Need to Know:

Structural Evolution: This downturn is a permanent market shift, not just a temporary cycle.
Friend-Shoring: Trade is moving toward geopolitical allies to ensure supply chain resilience.
Aggressive Cost-Cutting: Farmers are doubling generic input use and delaying machinery purchases to protect margins.
Financial Resilience: Better management and working capital make today far more stable than the 1980s.
Premium Protein Demand: GLP-1 medications are driving consumers toward smaller, higher-quality meat portions

As the industry enters the third year of this downturn, farmers and agribusinesses are questioning if a recovery is on the two-year horizon. While cyclical behavior is normal, two economists suggest the structural evolution within crop protection, machinery, technology, livestock and other individual sectors is creating a different kind of staying power for those who survive the recovery.

The Evolution of the Cycle

When characterizing the current economic cycle in agriculture, historical patterns provide a necessary baseline, yet the present landscape is defined by unique pressures. Typical agricultural cycles consist of roughly six years of expansion followed by four years of decline. Currently, the market is navigating a “corrective period,” returning to long-run averages.

The drivers of growth are typically demand shocks — export surges, fuel demand or policy shifts such as the Renewable Fuel Standard. However, Wes Davis, ag economist at Meridian Ag Advisors, notes the current environment is an intersection of traditional contraction and sector-specific evolution.

“What I think we’re experiencing right now is that typical cycle behavior where we see growth in some business firms, and then some contraction and pullback to adjust to the cycle going back to more of the long-run average,” Davis explains. “I think we’re also seeing evolution of individual sectors within the market where there’s adjustments happening because of the industry itself.”

In other words, this isn’t just a cycle — it’s also a structural shift.

Change Fatigue and Modern Volatility

Farmers aren’t strangers to volatility, but global trade disruptions, policy shifts and rising competition, especially from Brazil, are layering uncertainty onto already volatile markets.
Farmers are grappling with “change fatigue,” a byproduct of the high velocity of information and extreme price swings that dwarf the relative stability of the early 2000s.

“When I go talk to any industry group right now, the phrase that I hear is ‘change fatigue’, and I feel that. Every couple minutes, something shifts,” says Trey Malone, Purdue University ag econ professor. “But to be clear, it’s not that the farm economy isn’t used to volatility, it’s just the uncertainty and the volatility now is, like, ‘hold my beer relative’ to the old volatility.”

Malone attributes this to layers of uncertainty created by global trade and policy. The rise of Brazilian production, coinciding with the disruption of U.S.-China trade relations, has created a permanent state of flux. This sentiment is reflected in the Purdue Ag Economy Barometer, which shares a higher correlation with the Small Business Index (.5) than with actual commodity prices. This suggests farmers view themselves primarily as small business owners facing broad economic pressures rather than just price-takers.

“We don’t see very strong correlations even with lagged soybean prices and corn prices,” Malone notes. “The world is more complicated than just looking at what happened in the market yesterday and gauging how farmers feel.”

Global Competitiveness and the Trade Reallocation

A primary concern for U.S. producers is their position as low-cost providers. While the U.S. maintains an infrastructure advantage that lowers the cost of getting products to export ports, Brazil continues to close the gap.

“It’s a fair question farmers ask a lot: Are we actually the ones who are the low-cost producers, and do we still have a place in the global market if Brazil continues to lower the cost of production and transport their grain to export terminals?” Davis asks.

However, Davis points out that global trade hasn’t shut off; it has reallocated. Only three global regions — North America, Latin America and parts of Southeastern Europe/Central Asia — are net exporters. The rest of the world remains net importers.

“While our trade has kind of shifted around ... that shift has really reallocated stuff in different places. Those calories and products end up going somewhere. It’s just a question of where,” he says.

The Shift to “Friend-Shoring” and Resilient Supply Chains

The industry is moving from “just-in-time” (hyper-lean) procurement to “just-in-case” (inventory-heavy) strategies, a lesson reinforced by the pandemic. This shift is accompanied by “friend-shoring,” where the U.S. prioritizes trade with geopolitical allies.

“We’ve gone from offshoring to onshoring to nearshoring to friendshoring,” Malone explains. “We’ve got a paper that’ll be coming out ... where we document friend-shoring in ag and food supply chains. Over the last 10 years, there’s been a shift where we mostly in the U.S. trade with other people who vote like us in the WTO. That’s kind of one way to measure friends.”

This resilience is also visible in crop protection. In 2019, 80% of active ingredients were sourced from China. Today, that is closer to 60%, with manufacturing shifting to India and domestic sites. Davis calls these “geopolitically resilient” supply chains.

The Rise of Generics and Decision Paralysis

The economic downturn is fundamentally changing the business model for input providers. Farmers are aggressively cutting costs, leading to a massive surge in generic usage.

“The latest survey I saw shows about 60% of farmers use generics today. That was about 30% to 40% just 5 years ago,” Davis says. This forces companies to pivot from differentiation to operational volume.

In the machinery sector, high costs and economic uncertainty have led to “decision paralysis.” Farmers are extending the life of their equipment, treating machinery replacement as the most controllable variable in managing annual ROI. Davis notes the U.S. ag equipment cycle is currently 15 to 20 percentage points lower than typical low points, driven by this hesitation. Furthermore, there is significant skepticism toward subscription-based technology models.

“Farmers don’t terribly love this idea, and I think the other interesting thought here is I’m not sure that retailers like selling them either,” Malone adds.

AI: The “Undergraduate Intern”

While artificial intelligence (AI) is a major talking point, its current role in agriculture is more supportive than transformative. Malone views AI as a “highly capable undergraduate intern” — useful for processing information but incapable of replacing the trust and risk management provided by human advisors.

“I don’t think you need to be replacing your agronomist. I think your mediocre agronomist just got OK,” Malone says, noting while LLMs can pass CCA exams, they cannot manage the risk of a wrong decision. “The risk management value proposition of an in-person Claude, or whoever, is probably going to win out because there’s still a risk.”

Currently, the adoption gap is wide: While 75% of agribusiness managers see potential in AI, only 4% have implemented it, according to a Purdue University survey in 2025.

Livestock and the GLP-1 Impact

The livestock sector is facing a unique demand shift driven by weight-loss medications (GLP-1s). This is leading to “premiumization.” As consumers eat smaller portions, they are opting for higher-quality cuts.

“The explosion in demand for protein is just shocking,” Malone says. “What GLP-1s do to that calorie count is they are all shifting toward premium cuts. You don’t care how much it costs because you’re only going to have seven bites of it. But you’re going to have a steak. That premiumization is going to really, really take off in the next 10 years.”

Conversely, the hype surrounding “fake meat” has largely faded, proving to be more of an investor-led phenomenon than a market-driven one.

Financial Stability: Not the 1980s

Despite the downturn, the financial health of the American farmer remains more stable than during the crisis of the 1980s. Currently, 10% to 12% of farmers are in a “tight” financial position , compared to 20% to 30% in the 80s.

“We do have a completely different, more professional ag workforce than we did back then,” Malone says. “The farm policy we have right now does not necessarily match what we need for the future, but all of these things make me think we’re in a much more stable position.”

Farmers have built-in “shock absorbers,” Davis adds, including off-farm income and working capital built up during the expansion years. However, in his research Davis has seen how alternative financing is becoming a major tool for the 50% of farmers who use it — either to manage stress or, for larger operations, to leverage relationships with retailers.

Strategic Reassessment: Winning at the Bottom

The experts agree the “bottom of the cycle” is the time for professionalization and upskilling. Surviving — and thriving — will require sharper management. It is an opportunity to reassess farm transitions and management disciplines, such as financial management, accounting and planning, which become critical in tight margins.

“Farmers are going to have to get smarter and get more creative with how they manage,” Malone says. “This is a good opportunity to take a step back and think about what the strategy needs to be moving forward.”

Davis emphasizes relationships are solidified during these periods: “Farmers are going to remember the folks who were around when they were in the bottom of the cycle, and who were there to support them. The best farmers will continue to get better ... I get excited about what we can look like as we come out of this cycle.”

So Is This Ag Cycle Different?

These experts say yes as every cycle presents its own unique reshaping of future opportunities.

To download the full report on why this ag cycle is different and what it means for your operation, click here .

15% Tariff Lifted on Ecuadorian Fruit, Floral Imports

Sun, 22 Mar 2026 21:54:50 GMT

The produce industry is celebrating the U.S.-Ecuador Agreement on Reciprocal Trade , which carries meaningful implications for importers of bananas, pineapples, mangoes and floral from Ecuador into the U.S. market, says the International Fresh Produce Association.

Under the agreement, the U.S. will apply most-favored-nation (MFN) tariff treatment to Ecuadorian cut flowers and agricultural goods such as bananas, pineapples and mangoes.

IFPA says this translates to the removal of the additional 15% tariff that has been in place, bringing effective duty rates back to the base MFN rate which varies by product. Under this agreement, Ecuador will also remove or reduce barriers on over 90% of the U.S. agriculture products exported into the country, which includes U.S. grown produce.

While full duty-free access was not achieved, as the Generalized System of Preferences has not been renewed, this agreement meaningfully reduces the cost burden on floral importers and helps restore more predictable trade flows, said IFPA in a news release.

“We are encouraged by this agreement and what it means for the movement of floral products from Ecuador into the U.S. market,” says Colleen Fagundus, IFPA’s director of floral. “Reducing these tariff barriers is an important step toward ensuring our members can operate with greater certainty and competitiveness. We will continue to advocate for further progress, including GSP renewal and additional reciprocal trade agreements in the region, that would benefit floral importers across the supply chain.”

IFPA says it is committed to monitoring developments as this agreement goes into practice, which is currently targeted for August 2026, and will keep members informed as additional details become available.

How the Pursuit of Global Markets Is Yielding Results for Potatoes

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 21:39:48 GMT

Exports play a significant role in the U.S. potato industry, and many grower-shippers and trade organizations hope to see that role continue to expand.

Exports currently account for 20% of the U.S. potato crop, according to Denver-based Potatoes USA. U.S. potato export value was $2.3 billion from July 2024 to June 2025, says Nick Bartelme, global retail development manager.

During the 2024-25 market year, U.S. potato exports accounted for 3.1 million metric tons, he says, citing U.S. Department of Commerce figures.

Progress Made in Mexico

Exporters were especially pleased to see the Mexico market completely open to U.S. potatoes in 2022.

“Our potato export program has continued to grow and remains an important part of our overall business,” says Coleman Oswald, director of sales for Eagle Eye Produce, Idaho Falls, Idaho. “We have seen tremendous growth over the past few years in Mexico in particular.”

The U.S. is now moving $135 million a year worth of fresh potatoes into Mexico, says Kam Quarles, CEO of the Washington, D.C.-based National Potato Council.

Mexico surpassed Japan after nationwide market access for U.S. fresh potatoes was fully achieved, he says.

Opportunities Ahead

Quarles says there’s potential for other markets to open, thanks to President Donald Trump’s trade strategy.

“The president’s trade policy has created leverage for negotiations,” he says. “It has driven people to the table that otherwise wouldn’t be there.”

Quarles cites the Feb. 12 signing of the U.S.-Taiwan Agreement on Reciprocal Trade, or ART, which he called “a major victory for the U.S. potato industry.”

ART will eliminate the 15% tariff on fresh potatoes in effect since the mid-1990s as well as tariffs on other potato products that range from 10% to 18%, he says.

The agreement follows months of advocacy by the National Potato Council to ensure potato market access remained a priority for the Trump administration, he says. It now moves to the Taiwan legislature for review and approval and a final technical review process in the U.S.

The U.S. currently exports $110 million worth of potato products to Taiwan, making it the sixth-largest export market for U.S. potato producers, he says. NPC expects that figure to increase significantly because of the new agreement.

And the industry continues to work on market access for fresh potatoes to Japan. That could be an annual $150 million market, more than a 10% increase in the country’s global fresh potato exports, Quarles says.

“Those are not small moves of the needle; those are big turns of the dial in a positive direction for U.S. growers,” he says, adding it would be “a massive tailwind under the U.S. industry.”

On March 11, NPC issued a press release welcoming a bipartisan, bicameral letter sent to President Trump by 68 members of Congress, urging the administration to prioritize opening Japan’s market to U.S. fresh table stock potatoes during Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae’s March 19 visit to the U.S.

Potatoes USA is currently exploring export opportunities in Africa and evaluates market opportunities across the globe annually, Bartelme says. Africa represents an emerging opportunity particularly for U.S. seed potatoes, he adds.

There may be longer-term potential for frozen and dehydrated categories as retail modernization and cold-chain infrastructure expand in select markets, he adds.

Global Business at a Glance

The top U.S. potato export markets are Mexico, Japan, Canada, South Korea, Taiwan and the Philippines, according to Potatoes USA. Potatoes USA conducts market development activities in more than 20 countries, focusing on Mexico, Central America, the Gulf Cooperation Council and Asia, Bartelme says.

Eagle Eye Produce ships potatoes throughout North America, along with select markets across Asia, the Middle East and parts of Central America and the Caribbean, Oswald says.

Russet potatoes make up most of its export business, with occasional demand for yellow potatoes.

“Potatoes USA’s international marketing focuses on the quality, consistency, performance and innovation of U.S. potatoes to give international buyers reasons to buy U.S. potatoes,” Bartelme says.

Honeybear Brands Says Pear Imports Begin March 1

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 21:28:26 GMT

Honeybear Brands says its fresh-picked crop of bartlett and bosc pears from the Southern Hemisphere will begin hitting retailer shelves in early March, with the season set to run through June 1.

Chuck Sinks, president of sales and marketing at Honeybear Brands, says that with harvest in Chile and Argentina beginning in late January and February, this means promotable volumes will begin shortly after as domestic storage begins to lose momentum, which he says creates a clean handoff. That means retailers avoid gaps while produce maintains quality, and there are strong promotable volumes without interruption.

“South American pears come online at exactly the moment U.S. domestic supplies begin to taper off. Washington storage fruit typically reaches their quality and volume limits between late February and early March,” Sinks says. “As controlled atmosphere rooms are opened and inventories wind down, retailers often see increasing pressure on condition, sizing and consistency.”

Honeybear says long-standing partnerships and a vertically aligned import program provide competitive pricing for retailers.

“Direct grower relationships reduce middle-layer costs and secure priority access to premium fruit,” Sinks says. “Consolidated shipping programs allow for better freight efficiency and predictable landed costs, and year-round category management means Honeybear can plan volumes, vessel timing and pack styles months in advance, avoiding the spot market volatility that often drives up import pricing.”

Sinks says this results in a stable, value-driven import program that competes with domestic storage fruit and other importers.

While bartlett pears will begin arriving March 1 and bosc around April 1, Sinks says the two varieties are complementary, especially when consumers understand the differences. Retailers can highlight bartlett’s juicy, aromatic profile along bosc’s firmer, denser eating experience, which encourages multivariety purchases, he says.

Also, consumers often misunderstand pear ripening. Sinks explains that a simple check-the-neck messaging can help boost consumer confidence and reduce shrinkage. Other messaging includes mix-and-match pear promotions that encourage consumers to try new varieties and help retailers move volume across both varieties.

“Bartletts lean sweet and floral; boscs hold their shape for baking and salads,” he says. “Pairing them with complementary items increases basket size.”

Sinks says this season, retailers can expect pears with higher natural sugars due to warm days and cool nights. Retailers can also expect clean, bright aromatics with bartletts and smooth texture and dense flesh with bosc, he adds.

“Quality is strong enough to support early-season ads,” Sinks says. “Retailers can confidently promote as soon as fruit arrives, without waiting for later vessels.”

Mexican Fresh Market Waste Stream Squeezes Washington Frozen Raspberry Growers

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 12:33:57 GMT

While the raspberries grown in Washington state are destined for processing, there has been a significant impact of Mexican imports on this industry, says Gavin Willis, executive director of the grower-led Washington Red Raspberry Commission, which represents growers and processors of about 90% of the country’s frozen raspberry supply.

Willis says, much like other industries that have spoken up about the damage of low-priced imports, growers have been facing mounting pressure for almost a decade.

“We were coming off of the 2024 harvest year, which wasn’t a great one,” Willis says. “And so our growers were feeling those impacts and pressures, especially strongly. And we’re a relatively small industry, almost like 99.8% of Washington-grown raspberries are for the frozen market. We’re growing different varieties than for the fresh market. Harvest practices are different, but since we’re such a small industry, we don’t have some of the same financial resources to pursue an anti-dumping case, for example, or do some of the more aggressive lobbying in dealing with these issues.”

Waste Stream Turned Revenue Stream

Willis says that while his state’s growers cultivate different varieties that are better suited for the frozen processing market, Mexican growers have used a different approach, selling fresh-market varieties that are unsuitable for fresh consumption to U.S. puree processors at a lower price that makes it difficult for U.S. growers to compete. Willis says these varieties have different color and lower Brix or sugars.

“What we’re seeing is that food processing companies are finding ways to say, instead of taking a premium Washington raspberry puree, you can take a puree that’s a byproduct of the Mexican fresh market, add in a little bit of sugar and a little bit of beet juice, mix it in with some other ingredients, and they’re betting on the fact that the consumer isn’t going to be able to tell the difference side by side,” he says. “You absolutely can, but once you put it in the consumer packaged good, for example, and it’s on the grocery store shelf, it can be tough for consumers to discern those types of differences.”

Willis says the pressure growers face in Washington from imports is a byproduct of the fresh raspberry industry in Mexico.

“It’s not like we’re trying to push other growers in other areas out of business. In the case of these growers, they’re making their profit margins on their fresh produce sales,” he says.

Willis notes that historically growers would leave the nonmarketable fresh fruit in the field or on the ground to be composted. He says what has likely brought part of this pressure on is that Mexican growers now face pest pressure from spotted wing drosophila, and instead of leaving fruit that is unsuitable for the fresh market to rot in the field, growers have to eliminate all fruit, as fresh fruit could attract females that could lay eggs in the culled fruit and increase pest pressure.

“They have to get that fruit out of the field,” he says. “Once it’s out of the field, they’re like, ‘Hey we need to do something with it. Do we pay a couple cents a pound to send it to the dump or does someone else pay us a couple of cents a pound and they take it off our hands?’”

And he says he also understands why a processor might opt for Mexican-grown puree.

“It’s tough to really blame a food processing company when they’re being offered somewhat similar product, even if it’s not the same, at a 40% discount,” he says. “And that’s not something that our growers can compete with.”

The USMCA Lifeline

Willis says the industry didn’t really face the pressures and challenges it does now, and growers didn’t foresee the impact imports would have in the future.

“As a small industry, the [U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement] review provides an opportunity for our voice to be heard where in other ways might not be,” he says.

Willis says the federal level has been receptive to the concerns brought forth by the Washington Red Raspberry Commission. He says a challenge is that this is a concern for dumping impacting the domestic market, and there’s also many different specialty crop commodities facing different challenges as USMCA is under review.

“There’s support for what we’re trying to do, but we’re in a really unique position, and we’re a small industry,” he says. “So, the potential actions that could provide benefits to our growers may not have support from other portions of the specialty crop sector.”

Willis says he and his team will continue to advocate for the industry, noting that the growers he represents are open to any solution.

“We recognize that there’s a larger framework that we’re working within as well, and so we’re willing to hear suggestions from other stakeholders on potential solutions and fixes for this issue,” he says.

He says it’s important to look at this as a food security issue, keeping production in the U.S.

“Generally across specialty crop industries, there’s a recognition that there’s a lot of challenges that specialty crop growers are facing, but it is important from a food security perspective that we continue to grow those products in the U.S.,” he says.

How to Help

Willis says an important point of contention, too, is that Washington raspberry growers are not a direct competitor of Mexican raspberry growers.

“We’re not competing directly against them, and we’re not trying to take away any of their profits,” he says. “This is really a waste stream for them that’s really hurting our growers.”

For processors looking to help, Willis says an easy fix is to purchase U.S.-grown produce and for consumers to look for “Product of the U.S.A.” on the label.

“U.S.-grown product is, we believe, a superior product to what you can get elsewhere, and you’re supporting American businesses when you buy U.S.-grown,” he says.

California Lemon Growers Face Uphill Battle as Argentine Imports Saturate Domestic Market

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 22:58:08 GMT

During a December webinar on agricultural labor, Lisa Tate, a fifth-generation citrus and avocado grower in southern California, spoke about the impact of imports on her family’s farm.

“As a lemon grower, we were very profitable for many years, and then all of a sudden, trade policy changed, and we just got an influx of foreign lemons, which killed our domestic crop immediately,” she says in the webinar. “I went from making very good money on our crop to losing 2 cents per lemon over the course of three years without any other changes, just that policy change.”

Casey Creamer, president and CEO of California Citrus Mutual, says Argentinian lemon imports have been problematic for the state’s citrus growers for almost a decade. But its history dates back about 25 years. In 2000, amid pressure from the Argentine government, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service lifted a phytosanitary ban on imports from the country. However, in 2001, U.S. citrus growers filed a lawsuit noting the science used to justify the opening was flawed, and a judge ruled in favor of the U.S. growers.

In December 2016, USDA announced it would lift a ban on lemons from the northwest part of Argentina. Following negotiations, fresh Argentine lemons were allowed in by around 2018. Creamer says the influx of lemons coming from Argentina started off slow, but it’s become a flood.

“It’s been increasing it feels like every year,” Creamer says. “They’re a pretty big player in lemons, and they’ve shifted a whole lot more tonnage from the EU, which is where they traditionally sent it, to the United States.”

Creamer says what’s problematic for Southern California coastal growers is the timing of these imports.

“It’s really the time that they come in, really impacting our Southern California Coastal growers,” he says. “Who have had negative profitability significant for the last few years, and without any sort of improvement in or reduction in the amount of lemons that are being sent from Argentina. We just don’t see many options there for improvement.”

Creamer says California Citrus Mutual has had discussions with members of Congress and with USDA and the Office of the United States Trade Representative to elevate this issue.

“We’re not against fair, reciprocal access, but we should be having American growers first,” he says. “There’s a balance there that we just feel is not balanced at the moment, and so we’re looking for some remedies, whether they be in the current discussions that are happening with Argentina around the reciprocal tariffs, whether they’re in other areas. Our growers are a good portion of the especially lemon growers in Southern California, are experiencing a lot of pain, and we need some help.”

And that balance, Creamer says, is crucial for all global trade. What is imported, what is exported? What other markets is the USTR working to open?

“There’s the trade-offs that always happen, and it’s a tough deal, and I get it, but we’re going to do our job for our growers and advocate for them,” he says.

Tate acknowledges this too in the webinar, where she says decisions and the subsequent consequences can really impact growers.

“Sometimes those policies are helping one commodity, but they end up hurting another,” she says. “I don’t know how you even that playing field, but the more competitive we can be with foreign growers, the better it is for us.”

And Creamer says while he understands growers feeling the brunt of these polices might get frustrated, he wants to assure the growers that organizations such as California Citrus Mutual are vital to create relationships that can help best communicate those concerns.

“This is why you have organizations to be on top of these types of things, to have the relationships and speak with a collective voice to share these concerns,” he says. “Know they have an advocate who’s working on their behalf 24/7, making sure elected officials and agencies understand what’s happening on the ground.”

And he says growers should understand that while the government might move quickly when there’s a crisis, the pace of government isn’t necessarily quick.

“You’ve got to convince the senators, and then you’ve got to get something signed by the president, and there’s an administrative side of things,” he says. “Our system was not built necessarily on speed. These things take a long, consistent, persistent effort. I understand the growers’ frustration, but this is part of how the system of government works.”

Also, he wants growers to know they are at the table and are presenting the data on the issue of imports and other issues concerning California citrus growers.

“All politics is local. It never hurts for people to be involved in local politics,” he says. “Your member of Congress in your area, you need to know who they are. You need to call the office and say hello, make sure they’re aware of the issues that are affecting the district. All that feeds in and is very helpful for the work that we do, because it’s not only a trade association coming and talking to the member in D.C., but they’ve also heard it from their constituents and back in the district.”

He also says growers should understand how helpful it will be to have Sen. Adam Schiff as a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee.

“It’s great that we have Senator Schiff on the Senate Ag Committee now, which gives us a much stronger voice than what we had before,” he says. “We’re really grateful to have connections like that, and people, like the senator, who want to help.”

California Pear Industry Speaks Out Against Argentine Imports

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 23:01:30 GMT

“We really got our rear ends kicked this year by Argentine pears being in the marketplace when we started our harvest,” says Chris Zanobini, executive director of the California Pear Advisory Board.

Zanobini says California used to have a thriving pear industry, in which growers produced around 320,000 tons about 25 years ago. This year’s total was around 107,000 tons, or about 30% of U.S. pear production.

“They’re stewards of the land,” Zanobini says of the state’s 60-plus growers that farm around 4,000 acres. “In California, we have to adhere to the strictest environmental policies.”

The majority of those pears, bartlett and bosc, are for processing, but Zanobini says the state’s growers pride themselves on growing for the fresh market, too. He estimates that about 1.4 million 36-pound boxes go to the fresh market.

“We tend to operate within our market window, which is right around the first of July,” he says. “We like to be done by October, because we don’t like to compete with the Northwest, and neither does the Northwest like us to compete with them.”

Zanobini says that the relationship between the California pear season and the Pacific Northwest’s pear season has been good, except when imports get added to the mix. He estimates that since 2016, Argentine imports have increased 125%. He says those pears, treated with ethylene inhibitors, help importers extend pear storage.

“Argentina’s harvest is in December and January,” he says. “So, those pears can store for a very long period of time.”

Zanobini says that while Argentina supplies about 90% of pears during the winter months, about 70% of pear imports from Argentina arrive in April and May, right before the start of the next California season. This year importers brought pears to the U.S. through September, and a major retailer delayed its California pear program by a month as a result.

“That was about 10% of the crop that got pushed back,” he says. “And it was at a premium price.”

He says that really hurt the state’s pear growers, who have farmed since the Gold Rush.

“We still have some of those same families that started back then, still growing pears,” he says. “Finally, our guys said enough’s enough.”

Zanobini says as a response, industry leaders have begun discussions with the U.S. trade representative’s office to help California growers find relief. He sees this as a good time to help prevent Argentinian pears from undercutting U.S. growers.

“We said the time [and] the opportunity is right now to try to get something to happen,” he says. “There’s all these great things about producing fruits and vegetables in California, and I guess we have to fight for our right to do that.”

Banana Exports From Ecuador Remain Positive

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 16:11:39 GMT

Ecuadorian banana exports recorded cumulative growth of 3.38% through November 2025, equivalent to 344.9 million boxes shipped, according to the Association of Banana Exporters of Ecuador.

The group notes that, while the year-to-date performance remains positive and close to 3%, November showed a slight slowdown compared with October, adding that expansion depends on a handful of key markets and only a partial improvement in weather conditions.

Over the year, export performance has shown two clearly differentiated phases. In the first half, the sector was most active between April and June, when cumulative growth exceeded 5%, driven by a strong monthly rebound. From July through September, the pace slowed, reflecting reduced seasonal demand and less favorable conditions.

Growth in Ecuadorian banana exports is highly concentrated, the association highlighted. Russia and the European Union account for more than half of the year’s total expansion. Russia has consolidated its position as the main growth driver, with annual growth close to 17% and a contribution of more than 3 percentage points, while the European Union contributes around 2.2 percentage points with annual growth of 7.6%.

The Middle East and the U.S. also support the positive result, though with more moderate contributions. In contrast, exports to regions such as Africa, Central Asia, the United Kingdom, Oceania and the Southern Cone continue to contract. The association says this shows Ecuador’s positive performance in banana exports is driven by the selective recovery of a few markets rather than a generalized improvement in global demand.

On the production side, improved weather conditions in November helped stabilize export supply. On average, temperatures increased slightly year-on-year, while bagging activity rose by about 0.8%. Both conditions are consistent with a more favorable environment for productivity and harvest scheduling. Although week-to-week variability persists, these averages suggest some relief compared with the cooler conditions seen in previous months, supporting the export rebound in November.

This performance is also in line with developments in the European market, where by late November a slight improvement in demand and a gradual reduction in inventories were observed. After several weeks of downward pressure on prices, consumption stabilization helped slow stock accumulation and halt price erosion, creating a slightly more favorable environment for Latin American exports, the association says.

Why Western Mexico Remains Essential for Winter Produce in the U.S.

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 13:30:17 GMT

While the U.S. is a powerhouse of produce production, it still takes the power of imports to keep U.S. consumers supplied with fresh fruit and vegetables year-round.

Mexico is a key player in that supply chain. Much of its production, especially what is needed to supply the U.S. during the winter, comes from the country’s western states. These include everything from border states like Baja California and Sonora down to Jalisco and Michoacán in the southern end of the country.

“Western Mexico benefits from mild, stable winter weather, which allows growers to produce vegetables during the same months when U.S. and Canadian domestic production drops off,” explains Clarisa Batiz, senior vegetable category manager at Divine Flavor.

“That seasonal complement makes the region a critical piece of the year-round supply chain,” she adds. “When northern production slows during the winter, western Mexico steps in to supply peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, and other key commodities, ensuring U.S. retailers can keep shelves stocked consistently.”

Luis Obregon, president of Nogales, Ariz.-based produce sourcing and distribution company IPR Fresh, adds that the “experienced grower base and strong infrastructure make it one of the most dependable winter vegetable regions in North America.” He calls western Mexico key to his company’s ability to supply a wide variety of vegetables, but especially bell peppers and European cucumbers, to U.S. consumers year-round.

“Its proximity to the U.S. is a major advantage; shorter transit times mean fresher product and more reliable arrivals,” Obregon says.

Challenges and Opportunities: Water, Labor and Climate

Mexico’s proximity to the U.S. also means it has been experiencing some of the same challenges that also trouble U.S. produce growers in western states: water and labor shortages.

“The available labor pool is shrinking each year, and the cost of labor continues to rise sharply. Recruiting and retaining farm labor has become increasingly difficult,” Batiz reports.

The water scarcity in some western Mexican states is also getting extreme, she adds.

“Regions like Sonora and Sinaloa have seen significant water stress,” Batiz says. “Some reservoirs are reportedly operating at only 20% to 30% capacity, forcing growers to reduce planted hectares and rethink irrigation strategies.”

While the more northwestern Mexican states have been having chronic issues with too little water, some of the more southwestern states have had the opposite experience this year. For example, the 2025 Pacific hurricane season was more active than usual, bringing more rain to some parts of western Mexico during summer and fall.

The added rain has benefited Mexico’s key avocados-for-export region, says Stephanie Bazan, senior vice president of commercial strategy and execution at Avocados From Mexico. She reports that the current supply of avocados for export to the U.S. is not only abundant, but trending toward larger sizes. This is in contrast to the generally shrinking avocado sizes seen industrywide .

“When there’s a lot of good water supply, the trees can size up the fruit,” she explains. “This year we’ve had some really good climate that’s enabled the trees to size up on fruit, and it’s nice large sizes; very promotable sizes.”

While the added rain is helping avocado growers this year, Obregon cites ongoing climate variability, along with labor tightness in Mexico and the strong peso, as putting pressure on western Mexico growers and importers of their produce.

“In addition, ongoing efforts by certain U.S. groups to limit imports, along with the uncertainty surrounding potential tariffs, continue to create instability,” he says.

“Production out of Sonora and Sinaloa is coming along well, with healthy plants and good quality across peppers, tomatoes, squash and cucumbers,” says Clarisa Batiz, senior vegetable category manager at Divine Flavor.

(Photo courtesy of Divine Flavor)

Continued Work on Tech, Sustainability and Social Responsibility

Both Obregon and Batiz say the challenges the region faces will continue into the future and will demand growers adapt and make ongoing efficiency improvements. This is something Obregon says is already underway.

“Growers in western Mexico continue to improve through more efficient drip irrigation, expanded protected agriculture and better postharvest cooling practices,” he says. “At IPR Fresh, we’re focused on strengthening cold-chain performance and partnering with growers who invest in technology and sustainability. Looking ahead, we expect continued progress in precision agriculture, resource efficiency and protected growing systems.”

Batiz says that Divine Flavor expects “continued progress in greater energy efficiency, smarter water use and deeper integration of social responsibility throughout our operations.”

She says operating at a large scale, yet keeping consistent sustainability practices across all growers, is one of Divine Flavor’s strengths, with reducing its overall carbon footprint throughout the supply chain being a central focus. Taking care of its people is another.

“We put a lot of effort into responsible recruitment practices, safe working conditions and programs that support workers’ well-being. For us, retaining our workforce and having employees who want to return season after season is one of the most meaningful indicators that we’re on the right path,” she says. “These elements will be essential for building a more resilient and sustainable agricultural future.”

Western Mexico Makes Football Guac Possible

When it comes to essentials, western Mexico — particularly Michoacán, all but makes winter avocados in the U.S. possible.

“Michoacán represents about 90% of the exports that come to the U.S.” Bazan says.

In 2023, almost 92% of the fresh avocados available in the U.S. were imported, according to the USDA Economic Research Service. The majority of those imports come from Mexico to the point that Bazan describes imports from Mexico as dominating the U.S. avocado market. That is especially true during what she calls the fall/winter ramp-up to football season in the U.S., culminating in the Super Bowl.

“When the Super Bowl comes around, we’re looking at a minimum 250-million-pound opportunity,” she explains. “This is pretty much our superstar time period of the year.”

Bazan adds that a typical Super Bowl week will see roughly 32% more avocados delivered than a normal average week. She puts that into perspective as a truck full of avocados leaving Mexico every six minutes in the lead-up to the Super Bowl to keep up with U.S. demand.

“And Michoacán is the only state that can provide the avocados that meet the demand for the fruit here in the United States,” she says.

“Because October, November and December is so critical in the U.S. because of the consumption that happens in this time period, primarily as we get into college football season and the huge association between guacamole and football, it is critical [to have an] abundant supply,” Bazan explains.

Fortunately, it looks like that will happen this year.

“This year is looking like it could be a record year for us,” Bazan says. “We’ve had some strong weeks in terms of harvest and supply, and the market is very promotable right now.”

State of Winter Crops

Bazan isn’t the only one expecting good things out of western Mexico during this winter season. Batiz reports that crop conditions look strong and that Divine Flavor is expecting a solid season for both volume and quality.

“Production out of Sonora and Sinaloa is coming along well, with healthy plants and good quality across peppers, tomatoes, squash and cucumbers,” she says.

While the 2024-2025 period was difficult for many farmers due to extremely low market prices, Divine Flavor is focused on ensuring it covers its program business securely and avoids overproduction, Batiz says. The company is reducing speculative planting and aiming for a more targeted, disciplined approach to match supply more precisely with demand.

Obregon similarly reports a solid start to the season with good quality and yields on IPR Fresh’ bell peppers and European cucumbers.

“With our year-round program firmly in place, we expect steady and dependable volumes for the U.S. market throughout the winter and beyond, assuming weather conditions remain cooperative,” he says.

Border Patrol Discovers $10.3M in Meth in Lettuce Load

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 18:59:22 GMT

Officers with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Field Operations intercepted $10.3 million in suspected methamphetamine concealed in a shipment of lettuce at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility in Texas, the agency says in a news release.

“Within a shipment of salad greens, our frontline officers discovered contraband that does not belong on any holiday table,” says Carlos Rodriguez, port director of the Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry. “As this seizure aptly illustrates, our officers’ use of tools and technology was instrumental in this massive takedown of hard narcotics.”

CBP says its officers at the Pharr International Bridge encountered a commercial vehicle attempting to make entry to the U.S. from Mexico on Nov. 21. They selected the vehicle for further inspection using nonintrusive inspection equipment, and physical inspection led to the discovery of 500 packages of alleged methamphetamine with a combined weight of 1,153.01 pounds concealed within the shipment of lettuce.

CBP’s Office of Field Operations seized the narcotics and vehicle, and Homeland Security Investigations initiated a criminal investigation, according to the release.

Fruit Exports from Chile Going Strong into Winter

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 00:24:07 GMT

“Chile is a powerhouse in global fruit exports.” So says the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service.

“Chile is recognized as one of the world’s leading fruit exporters, ranking fifth globally with exports exceeding $8.2 billion,” reads a recent FAS report . It goes on to name fresh cherries, blueberries and table grapes among the country’s standout products. And the U.S. consumes a good deal of those products.

The U.S. is Chile’s second-largest destination after China for all exported goods, according to the World Trade Organization . Fresh fruit and fruit-derived products top its agricultural exports by value. Stone fruit — especially cherries, but also apricots, plums and peaches — occupied the most valuable line item in that category, representing roughly 18% of the value share of its agricultural exports, in 2022.

Chile also represents an important piece of the puzzle that is getting U.S. consumers fresh fruit all year round.

“Chile continues to invest in the U.S. market and is one of the largest suppliers of fresh fruit to the U.S. during the winter months,” says Joe Klick, associate vice president of product management for Naturipe.

Chile’s growing climate is ideal for winter fruit, he adds, and its steady investment in fruit quality and logistics has helped make year-round fresh fruit possible.

Of course, Chile isn’t the only Central or South American country to target the U.S. market and its love of tropical fruit and demand for fruit all year . Colombia seeks to drive U.S. demand for its avocados, for instance, and Peru recently set a new all-time record for its mango exports to the U.S.

“Peru’s growth in both volume and quality has raised the bar across the board,” says Klick, speaking about blueberries. “Chile responded by dialing up its own game. You’re seeing more focus on premium fruit and proprietary varieties that deliver standout flavor and consistency. It’s all part of staying competitive and keeping those berries at their best.”

Getting fresh fruit from Chile — a trip that can take over 4,800 miles by sea from the closest seaports or 4,100 miles by air from the main airports — can be a challenge, however. Klick says the country is rising to the occasion with the competition sparking innovation.

“We’re seeing smarter, faster shipping routes and exciting advancements in genetics that extend shelf life and deliver better flavor,” he adds. “Plus, Chile’s timing is great as its fruit lands just as the import season wraps and U.S. crops start up. It keeps the momentum (and the berries) rolling year-round.”

Building Blueberry Demand

Speaking of those blueberries, Klick says Chile has been keeping U.S. consumers stocked in winter for decades.

“Chile actually helped pioneer the winter blueberry market here in the U.S.,” he adds. “They got started back in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, then really took off between 2004 and 2008.”

The USDA’s Economic Research Service calls blueberries the second-most economically important berry behind strawberries. And it’s one that has grown in popularity. Compared to 1980, when the per-capita availability (a stand-in for consumption) of fresh blueberries stood at not even a fifth of a pound, in 2023 it was over 2.6 pounds.

That growing demand has to be supplied from somewhere. In 2023, the U.S. imported 558.62 million pounds of fresh blueberries according to USDA. Imports from Chile represented roughly 16% of total U.S. blueberry imports that year.

The U.S. has been the top market for Chilean fresh and frozen blueberries , receiving more than half of the Chilean export volume annually in recent years. Fresh Chilean blueberries are imported into the U.S. from September through April, with volumes peaking in January and February. In the completed 2024-25 market year, the U.S. imported 87.28 million pounds of fresh blueberries (cultivated and wild) from Chile.

Klick says that most of Chile’s blueberry fields, which are located in the north-south middle of the coastal country, have Mediterranean climates.

“Cool winters, dry summers, and low disease pressure are basically perfect growing conditions,” he says. “Combine that with Chile’s top-tier export systems and cold chain logistics, and you get fresh, flavorful berries.”

He adds that Naturipe sees Chile as a key partner in supplying year-round blueberries and projects good things for Chile’s peak blueberry season this year.

“Come January and February, shoppers can expect plenty of top-notch Chilean blueberries ready to enjoy,” Klick says.

Table Grape Competition and Oversupply is a Challenge

Agricultural Economics

(Graphic courtesy of USDA)

Fresh table grapes are another area where Chilean fruit exports to the U.S. shine.

The U.S. is the main export market for the Southern Hemisphere’s table grapes. According to ERS, U.S. imports of table grapes from May 2024 through April 2025 exceeded 2 billion pounds. Almost all (97%) of that volume came from Chile, Peru and Mexico.

Chile has historically been the primary source for the U.S.’s imported table grapes by volume, though Peru has become a key source of competition to Chile for U.S. table grape import market share.

“Table grape production in Chile has been faced with tight margins, due in part to export competition from neighboring Peru putting downward pressure on prices,” read the July Fruit and Tree Nuts Outlook by ERS.

Frutas de Chile reports that the country’s total global exports are down almost 7% year-over-year, despite increases in the U.S. The reason for this decrease is “The acceleration of the varietal replacement process, where new varieties are gaining ground but have not yet fully replaced older, phased-out varieties,” the group explains. It estimates that new grape varieties are expected to represent 71% of total Chilean table grape exports this season, up from 67% last season.

However, there might be fewer grapes going to the U.S. in the near future.

“Shipments to Latin America are expected to increase by 14%, while shipments to Asia and North America are projected to decrease by 18% and 9%, respectively,” the group says, adding that it “will be running a robust consumer and trade campaign throughout the season.”

Indeed, the recently formed Global Grape Group , of which Frutas de Chile is a member together with Peruvian and Mexican representatives, has the goal to grow U.S. table grape demand to address the current mismatch between supply and demand.

“In the last eight years, we have seen a 40% increase in the supply of Southern Hemisphere grapes to its main market, the U.S., while demand has only increased by 3% during the same period,” said Ignacio Caballero, executive director of Frutas de Chile’s Table Grape Committee, at the Second International Table Grape Congress held in August. He added that it is crucial for the entire industry, not just Chile, to increase table grape demand.

Record-Setting Export Volumes Projected for Cherries

Discussion of Chilean fruit exports wouldn’t be complete without cherries. The FAS even called cherries “the jewel of Chilean fruits.”

“In the southern hemisphere, Chile accounts for 96% of cherry exports, reinforcing its global leadership in this market,” says Frutas de Chile, adding that the Chilean Cherry Committee projects total exports of to reach 131 million boxes during the 2025-26 season.

The FAS estimates that volume as 670,000 metric tons , or 1.48 billion pounds, a record for the country if realized, assuming no “unexpected shocks to the cherry production and export industry.” However, it also notes that China consumed 90.8% of Chile’s 2024-25 fresh cherry exports and expects China’s demand to remain strong in the upcoming season.

When it comes to exports of Chilean cherries to the U.S., FAS forecasts the U.S. will import a total of 30,000 metric tons or 66.14 million pounds, largely due to increased shipments from Chile. If realized, this would be a record for U.S. cherry imports.

“Chile continues to increase its investment in North America, and we will see an expanded consumer and retail campaign this season,” reports Frutas de Chile. The group says that the first air shipments of Chilean cherries usually hit New York markets in late October, and it reports that product on those early flights were cited as being of excellent condition.

“Peak U.S. availability [runs] from late December through February, with the first charter vessel arriving on the East Coast in mid-December,” the group adds, noting that it is “working with retailers to promote over the holidays, New Year’s, Valentine’s Day and National Cherry Month in February.”

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Global Appeal Offers Growing Opportunity for Idaho Potatoes

Mon, 10 Nov 2025 17:56:03 GMT

Exports play a significant role in Idaho’s potato industry. Ross Johnson, vice president of retail sales for the Eagle-based Idaho Potato Commission, estimates the state’s growers currently export almost 15% of their potato crop.

“Idaho continues to see the levels of exports increase as consumers appreciate the higher quality of our products,” he says.

The number of export markets the commission pursues is extensive.

“Our No. 1 export market is Mexico, where we are executing programs for fresh, frozen and dehydrated potatoes,” he says.

The commission sees ample opportunity in Mexico, as the customer base learns more about the russet variety.

“They are not used to seeing a brown skin on a potato,” he says. “Our marketing efforts seem to be working and driving consumers to explore the possibilities with Idaho russet potatoes.”

The commission also focuses its efforts in a few target countries in Asia.

“Our biggest target right now is Taiwan, where we are having great success in driving additional sales to Idaho,” Johnson says.

“Our campaigns have allowed us to explore opportunities to bring the fun to the potato departments in local retailers, and their customers are loving the higher quality of Idaho potatoes,” he adds.

Japan is another major focus for Idaho.

“We are having bilateral talks to understand the barriers and opportunities to begin a relationship,” Johnson says.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Central America, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, the Philippines and the United Kingdom are other export destinations.

Exports make up a meaningful part of the business at Idaho Falls, Idaho-based Eagle Eye Produce, says Coleman Oswald, director of sales.

“It’s not a majority, but it’s an important and growing outlet for us beyond our domestic programs,” he says.

Export sales have been gradually increasing, he adds.

“Demand in certain markets has opened up more opportunities, and we’ve been able to grow that side of the business year over year,” Oswald says.

Eagle Eye Produce ships product into a mix of North American, Asian and Middle Eastern markets, as well as some other regions.

“It’s a diverse mix that helps us balance demand,” he says.

The company exports mostly russets, though there is interest in other varieties as well.

“Generally, smaller sizes are more popular in export programs,” Oswald says.

And certain customers request specific pack styles that best suit their distribution systems.

Price, regulatory requirements, paperwork and logistics, such as ocean freight and transit times, can also play a significant role in how easily product moves, Oswald says.

Idaho Falls-based Wada Farms Marketing Group exports a fair percentage of its potato crop to places like the Pacific Rim and Central America, says Eric Beck, marketing director. It’s important to carefully evaluate the markets where potatoes will be shipped, he says, because they will be sitting on a ship for what could be a lengthy period.

“We want to make sure we’re going to markets that can handle the transit time,” Beck says.

Russets are the company’s most popular potatoes for export, but foreign buyers also want some variety, he says.

International business also remains strong for Rexburg, Idaho-based Wilcox Fresh, says Derek Peterson, vice president of sales and operations.

The company exports about 20% of its tubers, mostly to Mexico and Asia-Pacific countries, he says.

Small yellow potatoes are a favorite among Asia-Pacific countries, he says.

The long shelf life of Idaho potatoes compared with potatoes from other states is one thing export buyers particularly appreciate when buying Idaho potatoes, Johnson says.

“Our marketing order holds our shippers to a higher standard than any other state, which has proven to make a difference for the receivers of Idaho products,” he says. “We continue to work to showcase why Idaho Potatoes really make a difference for produce departments all across the world.”

Divine Flavor Delivers Grapes From Around the Globe

Mon, 15 Sep 2025 19:34:58 GMT

As the fall table grapes season is underway and as the International Fresh Produce Association’s annual show is coming, The Packer talked with Divine Flavor’s quality assurance and public relations manager, Michael DuPuis, on the international table grape situation.

He reports the table grape season, particularly from its international suppliers, has been mixed. On the one hand, there have been better yields in some growing regions and good supplies of consumer-favorite varieties. For example, during last season, he noted Peru saw “nearly a 48% increase in production compared to last year.”

Michael DuPuis, quality assurance and public relations manager for Divine Flavor.

(Photo courtesy of Divine Flavor)

“Chile also saw a rise in output despite reduced acreage,” he adds.

Divine Flavor’s Mexican table grapes season started in March in Jalisco. He describes this region as having become a key region for growing proprietary varieties like Autumncrisp, Cotton Candy and Sweet Globe that are consumer favorites.

“These arrive at an ideal time, when South American grapes are aging and nearing the end of shelf life, making Jalisco fruit a standout during the early import window.”

Challenges of table grape imports

On the other hand, there have also been challenges related to weather, tariffs and oversupplies for Divine Flavor’s international table grape operations. Weather repeatedly became a problem for Mexican growers, for instance.

Tropical Storm Alvin struck in late May and early June. This system particularly caused problems for the Flame seedless grapes grown in Sonora, where humidity from the storm caused cracking just before harvest.

“However, through our mother-ship company, Grupo Alta, and other experienced growers, we adapted quickly to navigate through the early rain issues that hit in early June,” DuPuis reports. “By the time our premium varieties came in, quality and consistency were back on track.”

Tariffs can also be a challenge for the grape importer, but because Divine Flavor sources from several different countries throughout the season, the impact varies. DuPuis explains grapes from the Mexican operations enter the U.S. tariff-free due to the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

“This gives our Mexican programs, particularly from Jalisco and Sonora, a strategic advantage in terms of cost and competitiveness,” he says.

The situation is more challenging when it comes to grapes from the South American countries, however. DuPuis describes the tariffs as playing a significant role in the current import landscape for Divine Flavor’s South American operations. Chile and Peru are both currently under a 10% tariff.

“Since Peru begins the season earlier, the added cost is immediately felt by exporters and importers, impacting overall pricing and margins,” DuPuis says. “For Chile, the effect could be even more significant. As they finish later in the season — when Mexican fruit starts hitting the market — the 10% tariff could reduce their competitiveness and potentially limit the volume of Chilean grapes shipped to the U.S.”

Potentially the most pressing challenge is an oversupply of table grapes compared to consumer demand, however, which puts pressure on prices for growers. DuPuis says this dynamic is at play in both the international and the California-based table grape industries and for traditional varieties as well as newer proprietary varieties.

“While premium grapes, such as high-flavor varieties and organics, are still performing well, the sheer abundance of grapes across all categories is creating a difficult environment,” DuPuis says. But the company is rising to tackle those obstacles, he adds.

“At Divine Flavor, we manage our programs strategically — timing promotions, client needs and variety selection to stay ahead of these challenges.”

Looking to the table grape future

DuPuis says one of the biggest opportunities for the table grape industry is to deal with the issue of overproduction.

“To address this, it’s critical that the grape sector comes together to collectively promote grape consumption,” he says. “We have incredible varieties, both established and in development, but without unified marketing efforts, we risk missing the opportunity to grow demand alongside supply.”

He also describes oversupplies of table grapes as something that “can tempt the system to accept subpar fruit, which ultimately hurts consumer trust and long-term demand.” And keeping consumers’ changing demands in mind is key.

“Looking ahead, consumer demand is clearly moving toward grapes that offer both exceptional flavor and enhanced health benefits,” DuPuis adds. “Grapes are already a naturally healthy fruit, but ongoing innovation from breeders is introducing varieties with even higher levels of antioxidants, vitamins and overall nutritional value.”

He additionally praises the ongoing innovation from table-grape breeders to make more sustainable, nutritious grapes one of the most exciting innovations going on in the industry. This is particularly important as consumer preferences become more personalized.

“Variety matters,” he stresses. “People know what they like, and flavor drives their choices.”

Divine Flavor at 2025 Global Produce Show

When it comes to looking to the future, Divine Flavor will have a booth at the upcoming International Fresh Produce Association’s 2025 Global Produce and Floral Show in Anaheim, Calif. Oct. 16-18.

“Our goal at events like this is to share our story, update our retail partners on the upcoming season, and provide real solutions to their retail needs,” DuPuis says. “While we’re best known for our premium table grapes, our footprint continues to grow across our vegetable programs, including bell peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers and other hot house items, available in both conventional and organic. We’re working hard to close production gaps and become a true year-round supplier across all our core categories.”

DuPuis adds that the entire Divine Flavor sales team will be out in full force at the event, urging attendees to “come stop by and visit us at Booth 647 to chat more about the opportunities we can create together.”

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U.S. Sweetpotato Exports Grow, But Not Without a Challenge

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 18:11:25 GMT

When it comes to exports, the sweetpotato industry has made some significant gains over the past decade.

In 2024, growers sent 21% of their sweetpotatoes to buyers outside the U.S., says Jerry Hingle, international program consultant for the Benson, N.C.-based American Sweet Potato Marketing Institute (ASPMI). Ten years ago, that figure was about 8%.

Canada is the No. 1 market for U.S. sweetpotatoes, followed by the United Kingdom as well as some European nations, such as Germany and the Benelux region, says Jeff Smutny, ASPMI’s executive director.

However, shipments to Europe have dipped into the “low two-digits” over the past couple of years, Hingle says.

“The sole reason is Egypt,” he says. “Egypt’s exports to the European Union and the United Kingdom are up tremendously, and we’re taking it on the chin.”

Egyptian growers were able to secure seed for the same sweetpotato varieties as those grown in the U.S., Smutny says.

Growing operations are government subsidized, sellers can take advantage of a favorable currency exchange rate, and Egyptian growers have a location advantage — Egypt is much closer to Europe than the U.S. is — Smutny says.

Rise in Mexico

While exports to Europe might be down, Mexico is an up-and-coming market.

“Mexico is a new market for us solely because of the work we’ve done,” Hingle says. “Mexico now ranks among the top five markets. It was not even on our radar screens five years ago.”

And the market continues to grow.

ASPMI has worked with importers in Mexico, attended trade shows there and has conducted abundant sampling in Mexico’s largest retail chains, Smutny says. In fact, 160 samplings were conducted in the past six to seven months.

The favorable reputation of U.S.-grown sweetpotatoes was largely developed through the marketing efforts of ASPMI, Hingle says.

“We invest heavily in promoting sweetpotatoes around the world,” Hingle says, especially by touting their nutritional value and quality.

ASPMI promotions also stress the growing practices used by U.S. producers, the safety regulations they abide by and growers’ emphasis on sustainability, Smutny adds.

Marketing Revamped

Smutny assumed his leadership position last year and says one of his first tasks was to review the institute’s marketing activities.

“We decided to make a more retail-focused approach,” he says, since consumer outreach is expensive and ASPMI has a small budget, supported by USDA funding. “We have to use it sparingly.”

The institute replaced some of its marketing firms overseas.

“We just signed on with a more nutritionally focused firm in Europe,” Smutny explains.

ASPMI works directly with importers and grocery store chains worldwide, conducts in-store sampling and strives to educate consumers at point of purchase by providing recipe ideas, sharing handling and storage practices and explaining how flexible sweetpotatoes are.

“You can use them for baking anything from brownies to just having sweetpotatoes themselves,” he says.

As for varietal preferences, consumers in other countries lean toward varieties like beauregard and other moist-flesh potatoes similar to those U.S. shoppers, Hingle says. However, purple sweetpotatoes are often the preference of Chinese and Japanese consumers, Smutny adds.

Tariff Talk

While tariffs can be a moving target, they have not yet had much of an impact on sweetpotato movement, Hingle sys.

Fortunately, there are no tariffs on sweetpotatoes produced in North America that are sold to buyers in Canada or Mexico thanks to the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, he says.

Export Markets Show Potential for U.S. Apples

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 12:32:24 GMT

CHICAGO — “It’s a pretty dynamic time in the industry right now,” says Chris Gerlach, vice president of insights and analytics, before the start of his industry outlook and global crop report during the U.S. Apple Outlook conference.

While Gerlach gave attendees a preview of the USDA’s domestic crop forecast, he also provided a snapshot of the current export market, which he says shows some true opportunities for growers.

Mexico is the U.S.’s top export market for apples, worth about $400 million a year; Canada is second at $150 million a year, followed by Taiwan ($94 million), Vietnam ($74 million) and India ($40 million). The U.S. also sends apples to about 59 other countries, worth about $320 million.

Gerlach points out that India’s presence on the list is a bright spot.

“We’re trying to win back that market share, “he says. “It’s an important market for us.”

Gerlach also says apples avoided being part of a potential retaliatory tariff that Canada proposed in February.

“The tariff foreign policy levers are being used much more widely than just unfair trade practices,” he says. “It’s being used in all manner of things, so anything can kick off a trade war anywhere at any time.”

Many countries that import U.S. apples have expressed a willingness to work with the administration on trade deals, Gerlach says. These include Taiwan, Vietnam, India, Thailand, Israel and Indonesia.

“I think there’s a real opportunity to expand into or expand what we are sending them,” he says.

Other countries that the U.S. does not currently export to such as Japan, South Korea, Australia and the United Kingdom, could be additional sources of apple exports.

“There have been announcements of deals with Japan, South Korea, U.K. Those details are vague, but I think still opportunities that we could get some of those nontariff trade barriers removed and increase our exports to those countries,” he says.

Global Apple Production

China, which grows about 2 billion bushels — or about 10 times U.S. production — looks to be down about 5% this year, Gerlach says. China exports apples to Vietnam, Indonesia and Thailand. With China being down, he says there could be an opportunity for the U.S. to make some inroads in those countries.

“Those are all countries that have come to the negotiating table, and they’re all in our top five export markets, or at least Thailand is top 10,” Gerlach says. “Being down 5% to some of their some of their export markets that we also trade with might be some opportunity there.”

Turkey, which produces about 142 million bushels, looks to be down by 38% this year. While Turkey exports apples to Iraq, Russia, Libya and Syria, the country also exports apples to India, which could be a great opportunity for the U.S. to make more gains.

“If Turkey normally produces the same amount of apples as the U.S. and is down close to 40%, there might be some real opportunities to scale up exports and take back some of that market that we lost when we got outpriced of that market for about a five-year time period,” he says.

In Europe, Gerlach says overall production looks to be flat. Poland looks to be up 3%, Italy down about 3%, France up 4%, Germany up 15% and Spain down about 8%.

In South America, Chile expects to be up about 1%, Argentina up 6%, Brazil up 15%, and in North America, Canada looks to be up about 3% and Mexico is projected to remain flat.

“Uncertainty around tariffs will continue to be a challenge,” Gerlach says. “Expanding existing markets and opening new markets may provide significant opportunities.”

Colombia Avocado Supplies See Sharp Rise

Sun, 10 Aug 2025 21:13:19 GMT

Supplies of Colombian avocados in the U.S. will be up significantly this year compared to 2024, says Manuel Michel, managing director of the Colombia Avocado Board.

Through June 2025, approximately 82 million pounds of Colombian avocados were shipped to the U.S., he says. That’s a 115% increase over the 38 million pounds shipped over the same period in 2024.

Exports to the U.S. in 2025 are currently projected to reach 165 million pounds, up from 80 million pounds last year.

Several factors are driving the growth, he says, including maturing groves, higher yields, an increase in certified acreage and packing facilities authorized to export to the U.S. market.

In addition, a larger share of Colombia’s hass avocado exports is now directed to the U.S. market — about 40% of total exports this year compared to 22% in 2024, Michel says.

Thanks to two growing seasons, shipments of Columbian avocados to the U.S. market are made year-round. The main season runs from approximately September to March, and the traviesa season spans March to August/September, he says.

Volume is expected to decrease in September and October as the traviesa season ends, but supplies will build during the main season with peak volume expected in January and February.

There were some quality challenges in the transition to the traviesa season, Michel says, but the industry worked to address those issues.

“Moving forward, we are applying these learnings and new protocols to further improve and maintain more consistent quality,” he says. “For the upcoming main season, suppliers are making investments to ensure quality continues to improve each year.”

Colombia has made strides in delivering more consistent volume and improving overall quality season after season, Michel explains.

“The industry is confident that this trend will continue into the main season, further establishing Colombia as a crucial year-round partner in the U.S. market,” he says.

Leaders of North American Produce Industry Urge Swift End to Tariff Dispute

Fri, 25 Jul 2025 18:16:19 GMT

More than a dozen representatives of the fresh fruit and vegetable sector in North America sent a letter addressed to U.S. President Donald Trump, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to push for a swift end to ongoing tariff disputes, citing severe consequences to growers, exporters, retailers and consumers.

The Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA), the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) and the other co-signers say these tariffs threaten the aﬀordability, accessibility and stability of fresh produce supplies across the continent.

“The fresh produce supply chain is one of the most deeply integrated in the world, with cross-border trade between our nations ensuring year-round access to healthy fruits and vegetables,” says Cathy Burns, IFPA CEO. “Consistent access to safe, nutritious produce is essential to addressing chronic health challenges. Tariﬀs on these vital goods disrupt that balance — driving up grocery costs, reducing availability and placing significant strain on the businesses that grow, ship, and deliver our food.”

In 2024, Canada imported nearly $5.5 billion in fresh produce from the U.S. and $3 billion from Mexico. The U.S. imported over 24 billion pounds of fresh produce from Mexico — valued at $19.6 billion — and exported more than $1.7 billion into Mexico. The organizations say these figures illustrate the tight-knit and mutually beneficial trade relationships that have long supported regional food security and public health.

“The stability of the North American fresh produce market is paramount. Canada’s industry is inextricably linked with our trading partners; any disruption directly impacts our growers, supply chains, and ultimately, consumer access and affordability,” says Ron Lemaire, CPMA president. “We stand with our domestic and global colleagues in demanding that leaders prioritize swift and collaborative resolution to safeguard the continental supply of fresh produce.”

The associations say in the letter that each country has a right to address unfair trade practices, but the associations caution that tariﬀs on perishable goods cause immediate and disproportionate harm to the supply chain. The organizations urge leaders to pursue a collaborative, long-term trade agreement that brings stability and predictability to the marketplace.

“Our organizations remain committed to supporting fair and open trade,” Burns and Lemaire said jointly in a news release. “We stand ready to work with all three governments to reach a solution that protects consumers, ensures food security, and strengthens the agricultural economies of North America.”

Why Peruvian Asparagus Imports Are Pivotal to Help Feed U.S. Demand

Tue, 22 Jul 2025 19:40:14 GMT

More U.S. consumers seem to be eating asparagus these days, and the path to their plate depends heavily on Peru.

Almost all of the fresh asparagus in the U.S. is imported. In 2024, for example, the U.S. imported 515.4 million pounds of asparagus, valued at $646.7 million. Of that, almost 155 million pounds (30%) came from Peru.

Though Mexico claims the title of the largest exporter of asparagus to the U.S. — representing roughly two-thirds of U.S. asparagus imports — Peru’s unique location and climate gives it an interesting asparagus superpower over the competition.

“Peru is an important source of both green and white fresh asparagus because it provides consistent volume of high-quality product almost year-round,” says Carlos Solf, vice president of purchasing for Southern Specialties , a Pompano Beach, Fla.-based grower, importer, processor and shipper that deals in Peruvian asparagus.

The majority of Mexican imports happen from January to May, according to data from the International Fresh Produce Association .

“As for Peru, it also has a constant presence in the market, which only reduces when Mexico reaches its peak production,” the group noted in a late 2024 report . It also pointed out that Michigan, the largest domestic producer of asparagus , has a short season from May to June.

“Simply put, Peru supplies the U.S. consumer with quality asparagus during a time that U.S. local is not in production,” says Priscilla Lleras, executive director of the Peruvian Asparagus Importers Association (PAIA).

“Imports enable year-round availability of fresh asparagus for U.S. consumers,” PAIA co-Chairman Craig Rolandelli of Jacobs Malcolm & Burtt said in the group’s announcement of its 2025-2026 trends report . “Without trade, the U.S. would struggle to meet the demand for asparagus throughout the year.”

Citing USDA data, Lleras explains that imports through May of this year are up 33% compared to the same time last year.

“We expect those numbers to continue through the third and fourth quarters of 2025,” she adds.

Peru’s constant presence in the U.S. market only reduces when Mexico reaches peak production, according to the Peruvian Asparagus Importers Association, which adds that Michigan, the largest domestic producer of asparagus, has a short season from May to June.

(Photo: karepa, Adobe Stock)

Peruvian Production

Since the U.S. consumes the lion’s share of Peru’s asparagus crop — 88% in 2024 , for example — it’s little surprise that increased production lies behind increased import volumes.

“Peruvian asparagus production has seen a significant year-over-year increase of approximately 25% to 30%,” says Katiana Valdes, marketing director of Miami, Fla.-based grower-importer Crystal Valley Foods. These production increases belie weather-related difficulties in past years, however.

“Asparagus volumes in both 2023 and 2024 were negatively impacted by weather-related phenomena such as La Niña and El Niño. These climate events disrupted growing conditions, leading to irregular crops and reduced production levels,” Valdes says.

According to the Peruvian Institute of Asparagus and Vegetables (translated via Google), La Libertad region in the northern part of the country and the Ica region in the south are Peru’s main asparagus production areas.

Both these areas, as well as the country at large, sit along the western coast of South America. In spring of 2023, a strong El Niño hit the area , causing extreme rainfall and subsequent flooding. This was followed last year by a weak La Niña, which brought cooler-than-usual springtime temperatures and irregular early-season rainfall in the La Libertad area. None of this was good for weather-sensitive asparagus crops.

Though Peru’s asparagus growing regions have seen better weather in 2025, there are still potential production concerns on the horizon.

According to Fresh Fruit , a Peruvian produce export data company, several economic factors — including value not keeping pace with production, rising production costs, growing competition for U.S. asparagus market share (including domestic organic production) — could lead to Peruvian asparagus growers to switch crops. The group specifically cites blueberries being an attractive alternative to Ica valley growers, for example.

Solf noted that Southern Specialties has recently seen some demand softness in imports from Peru. Both Canadian and Michigan production have continued a couple weeks longer than usual, he explains as potential contributor.

Tariff Troubles

Weather and production concerns aren’t the only pressures on Peruvian asparagus.

According to The Packer’s Fresh Trends 2025 survey, there is a distinct income-based trend among respondents reporting asparagus purchases. While overall, 36% of respondents said they bought asparagus in the prior year, almost half (48%) of respondents in the highest income bracket, with an annual household income of over $100,000, reported asparagus purchases. This compares to respondents in the lowest household income bracket (under $25,000), only 18% of whom reported asparagus purchases.

This price sensitivity could be a problem in the face of tariffs, given the important role imports of asparagus from Peru has on the availability to the U.S. consumer.

“There are no alternatives to imports for asparagus consumption during most of the year,” Solf says. “Ultimately, the consumer will be paying more for asparagus during the course of year. Tariffs present additional costs across the board for importers, distributors, retailers and consumers.”

Despite concerns about tariffs and ongoing trade dynamics, Lleras says the import flow of Peruvian asparagus currently remains robust.

“The sector’s resilience can be attributed to its strong economic contributions, which have helped offset potential disruptions,” she says. “Peruvian asparagus imports provide significant economic benefits to the United States in terms of job creation, revenues and supply chain support.”

Lleras notes that Peruvian asparagus contributed $264 million in import revenue in 2024. PAIA also highlights that imported Peruvian asparagus contributes “directly or indirectly to about 7,000+ jobs across the U.S. commercial supply chain, including roles in transportation, distribution, and retail.”

“This nutritious vegetable, coupled with established supply chains and collaborative trade relationships, ensures that Peruvian asparagus continues to reach American consumers while supporting jobs and generating substantial revenue,” Lleras adds. “This stability highlights the adaptability of both Peruvian exporters and U.S. importers in navigating international trade challenges.”

U.S. Asparagus Consumption

Wherever it comes from, U.S. consumers have a taste for asparagus.

According to Fresh Trends 2025, just over a third of respondents reported buying fresh asparagus in the past 12 months. This is steady with the 2024 report and up from 25.5% in the 2023 report, suggesting growing consumer interest in asparagus.

Additionally, when asked what new produce items they bought that they had not bought in prior years, 21% of Fresh Trends 2025 respondents answered “asparagus.”

“U.S. consumption has been steadily increasing over the past 15 years, reflecting strong and consistent demand for this commodity,” says Valdes of Crystal Valley Foods. “While it’s difficult to predict exactly how the market will evolve in the coming years, current trends and consumer preferences give us reason to remain optimistic about its future potential.”

On the topic of growing U.S. consumer demand, Lleras says “once consumers research or become informed on the health benefits of fresh asparagus, this will dramatically increase demand.”

According to the Washington Asparagus Commission , fresh asparagus is fat- and cholesterol-free, high in fiber and a good source of folate, glutathione, vitamin A and vitamin C. Michigan Asparagus similarly notes that a 4-ounce serving contains half the recommended daily value of vitamin K, an essential vitamin for blood clotting, bone health and regulating blood calcium levels.

“As an industry, we need to broadcast the health benefits from the tallest mountains everywhere,” Lleras says.

Will Termination of the Tomato Suspension Agreement Lead to an 'Eggs Moment' for Tomatoes?

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 22:19:27 GMT

On July 14, when the U.S. Department of Commerce terminated the 2019 Agreement Suspending the Antidumping Duty Investigation on Fresh Tomatoes from Mexico and imposed a 17% tariff on most imports of tomatoes from Mexico, reaction from the fresh produce industry was pronounced and deeply divided.

“Mexico remains one of our greatest allies, but for far too long our farmers have been crushed by unfair trade practices that undercut pricing on produce like tomatoes. That ends today,” says Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, in a news release. “This rule change is in line with President Trump’s trade policies and approach with Mexico.”

But ag economists and industry researchers say the end of the agreement and tariff hike will put billions in economic activity at risk and threaten tens of thousands of jobs. And they say American consumers are likely to feel the impact in higher tomato prices at retail, with some ag economists anticipating the price of not only Mexican tomatoes to increase by about 8.5%, but also prices on all tomatoes sold in the U.S.

Whether to extend the 90-day review period or terminate the agreement has been fiercely debated in the fresh produce industry, with those calling for its termination saying it failed to prevent Mexican exporters from dumping below-production-cost tomatoes into the U.S. market, and proponents of the agreement’s extension saying the past five Tomato Suspension Agreements did not fail, but rather benefited American consumers.

Robert Guenther, executive vice president of the Florida Tomato Exchange, calls the decision to end the U.S.-Mexico Tomato Suspension Agreement a bold and crucial action. “This decision will protect hardworking American tomato growers from unfair Mexican trading practices and send a strong signal that the Trump administration is committed to ensuring fair markets for American agriculture,” he says.

(Photo: STOCKSTUDIO, Adobe Stock)

Florida Claims Victory

Both the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association and the Florida Tomato Exchange call the end of the agreement a victory for U.S. tomato growers.

FFVA says this is a positive movement “toward fairer competition, not only for tomato growers but for all specialty crop producers nationwide,” stating Mexico dumped imports into the market for too long, injuring the U.S. tomato industry.

“This action demonstrates that U.S. trade laws can protect American farmers and ensure that U.S. consumers have access to locally grown fruits and vegetables,” the association says. “We are grateful to Commerce Secretary Lutnick and President Trump for listening to growers and leveling the playing field. And for the relentless advocacy of the Florida Congressional Delegation. The future of the industry is stronger without the undue pressures of unfair foreign trade.”

Robert Guenther, executive vice president of the Florida Tomato Exchange, calls it a bold and crucial action.

“This decision will protect hardworking American tomato growers from unfair Mexican trading practices and send a strong signal that the Trump Administration is committed to ensuring fair markets for American agriculture,” Guenther says. “Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick recognized that five previous agreements with Mexico had failed, and that strong enforcement of U.S. trade laws is needed to protect the stability of our food supply chain.”

Guenther adds the ending of the agreement will ensure that “American consumers will have more choices and higher-quality products, while strengthening America’s food system against future disruptions.”

Bob Spencer, owner of West Coast Tomato in Palmetto, Fla., said in an op-ed sent to The Packer that he’s seen a rapid change in the American tomato market, where at one point he says American tomatoes supplied about 80% of the U.S. market but are now down to about 30%.

“When the first agreement went into effect, we saw the impact almost immediately. Prices dropped. U.S. growers started losing contracts. Family farms began shutting down,” he says. “Many hardworking growers have thrown in the towel because they couldn’t compete due to these trade practices. Just this season, we have seen one Florida tomato farm sell off prime tomato acreage for development while another just announced they are going out of business and are in the process of selling off their equipment. That’s the human cost of failed trade policy.”

Spencer says U.S. growers can’t survive in a system that “rewards dumping and turns a blind eye to enforcement,” noting that ending the Tomato Suspension Agreement helps protect American growers and U.S. food production.

Greenhouse Tomato Growers ‘Deeply Disappointed’

The CEA Alliance is deeply disappointed that the Commerce Department chose to proceed with termination of the Tomato Suspension Agreement with Mexico, despite multiple U.S. agriculture and business stakeholders urging renegotiation of the agreement, Stenzel says.

“Unfortunately, the Department [of Commerce] failed to take into account the voice of our members in the U.S. greenhouse tomato industry, which now grows more than one-third of all U.S. fresh tomatoes,” he says. “When the original dumping order was issued in 1996, the greenhouse sector was just beginning to grow, offering consumers better-tasting, vine-ripe tomatoes compared with field tomatoes that are picked green.”

Today, greenhouse tomatoes represent the growth in the category, says Stenzel, pointing to the USDA, which reports production of U.S.-grown greenhouse tomatoes increased 69% from 2010 to 2023, compared to a 49% decline in field-grown tomatoes.

“Because most high-value greenhouse growers farm in Canada, the U.S. and Mexico, the termination of this agreement will cause significant damage to these growers, serving as a financial barrier to new investment in U.S. greenhouses,” he says. “Unfortunately, this became a political issue that was not resolved on the facts of what would be best for American businesses and consumers.”

Stenzel says the CEA Alliance will continue to stress the “critical importance” of the U.S. greenhouse tomato industry moving forward.

“We remain hopeful that open-field growers will reengage in discussions that could serve all parties much more effectively than this order,” he says.

The Economics of Ending Agreement

Luis Ribera, director of the Center for North American Studies at Texas A&M University, rebuts the claim that Mexican imports cause lower tomato prices. He co-authored a study with Andrew Muhammad, professor of agriculture and resource economics at the University of Tennessee, which examined the economic impact of fresh tomato imports on fresh tomato prices.

Ribera says U.S. importers of Mexican tomatoes paid 31 cents per pound in 1995, and they paid around 74 cents per pound in 2024.

“The claim that tomato prices are low because of Mexican imports — the data doesn’t show that,” he says.

In fact, Ribera says price increases align with general food inflation.

“They have often exceeded prices paid to American farmers and kept pace with the overall rise in food prices the past three decades,” Ribera and Muhammad wrote in the study.

Ribera says retailers and consumers should expect more volatility in the market, as the Tomato Suspension Agreement took some of the risk in the market.

“There is a lot of uncertainty,” he says. “When you have uncertainty, you’re going to have volatility. It’s going to hurt the U.S. economy, even though it’s imported products.”

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs cited the Texas A&M study in a press release on her website that said the decision to terminate the Tomato Suspension Agreement will put $8.33 billion in economic activity at risk and threaten over 50,000 agribusiness jobs in Arizona and Texas. She was joined by affected business leaders and elected officials in denouncing the decision to terminate the agreement.

Lance Jungmeyer, president of the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas, also sees the end of the Tomato Suspension Agreement as detrimental to the U.S. economy and consumer.

“Food inflation is real,” he says. “When prices go up for one item, especially an essential like tomatoes, consumers will spend less on other items. As shoppers spend less on other items, other industry sectors will see reduced volumes, which will contribute to a cycle of layoffs and failures in the food business.

“Also, the cash flow crunch, and the long-term uncertainty existing under antidumping duties means in two years, commerce could retroactively increase the margin, and companies would have to find a way to retroactively pay the difference on all the tomatoes that they shipped during that prior time frame,” he continues. “It is an expense that is impossible to predict or even to plan for. We could see a huge negative impact in two years that causes many companies to go out of business or face significant financial impacts.”

Lance Jungmeyer, president of the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas, sees the end of the U.S.-Mexico Tomato Suspension Agreement as detrimental to the U.S. economy and consumer. “Food inflation is real,” he says. “When prices go up for one item, especially an essential like tomatoes, consumers will spend less on other items.”

(Photo: Ivanb, Adobe Stock)

Are Tomatoes Poised for an ‘Eggs Moment’?

David Magaña, senior analyst with RaboResearch Food and Agribusiness, says the termination of the Tomato Suspension Agreement will cause prices in the U.S. to rise. This is due to a number of factors, he says, including that about 70% of the fresh tomatoes consumed in the U.S. are imported and about 90% of U.S. fresh tomato imports are from Mexico.

“The U.S. heavily relies on Mexican tomatoes, especially for specialty varieties like vine-ripened, roma, grape and cocktail tomatoes,” Magaña says. “With the tariff in place, importers must either absorb the cost (unlikely for most), or pass it on to retailers, who then pass it on to consumers.”

What’s more, U.S. growers, including those in Florida and California, can’t immediately scale up production to replace Mexican supply, creating a supply gap that will also drive prices higher, Magaña says.

American consumers also now expect year-round and robust tomato supplies, helping to make U.S. fresh tomato demand more inelastic in recent decades.

“Per basic economic theory, the more inelastic the demand is, the higher proportion of the duty will be absorbed by consumers versus exporters,” he says.

In 2023, Timothy Richards, professor and chair of the Morrison School of Agribusiness at Arizona State University, and a team of researchers released a study on the direct impact of the end of the Tomato Suspension Agreement. He says a crucial finding in that study is what he calls the “pass-through rate,” or the percentage of the duty that the American consumer will absorb.

“We found that the pass-through rate is going to be about 50%, so my fearless forecast, as all economists like to make, is roughly half of that tariff will be reflected in consumer prices,” he says. “Given that we found out that it’s going to be 17%, my prediction is that on average, we expect tomatoes to go up by 8.5%.”

Richards cautions that this 8.5% increase in tomato prices will likely not only affect imports but will also impact every tomato sold in the U.S.

“Because if Mexican tomatoes go up in price, then obviously American prices are going to go up to match that,” he says. “All tomatoes are going to be that much more expensive in the store.”

Ribera says he doesn’t think this price increase will stop Americans from buying tomatoes, but it will likely impact shopping habits.

“They might change the kind of tomatoes that they buy,” he says. “Instead of the heirlooms that are a little more expensive, they might go to roma tomatoes. Consumers who like to consume organic tomatoes from Mexico, for example, might switch to conventional because of the price hike.”

While Jungmeyer says consumers might not see an immediate price hike at the supermarket, as it’s summer when production from Mexico is not as high as U.S. production, spikes are on the horizon.

“Later in the fall and winter is when we would see the impacts begin on pricing,” he says. “Importers will need to pass along the increased duty amounts to buyers and ultimately consumers. Also, because of the intensive cash flow of duties, the required customs bonding and other expenses associated, it is going to drive a lot of companies to either greatly reduce their plantings or even get out of the tomato business. This supply shortage will lead to an ‘eggs moment,’ where fob prices could rise uncontrollably, with supermarket prices to follow. Higher fobs, combined with the duty, will make next year’s tomatoes even more expensive.”

“Seventy percent of the fresh tomatoes Americans eat are from Mexico, which means this withdrawal will result in higher prices for American families,” agrees Dante Galeazzi, president and CEO of the Texas International Produce Association. He adds that termination of the agreement “introduces uncertainty and disruption into a binational supply chain that supports tens of thousands of jobs, especially in the Texas border region where we cross 2 billion pounds of tomatoes.”

Rather than scrap the agreement, Galeazzi says all parties would have been better served by modernizing and improving the agreement.

“We urge the administration to reengage in negotiations and prioritize a solution that supports fair trade, economic stability and a healthy supply chain for one of the most widely consumed fresh produce items in the country,” he adds.

Richards says, unfortunately, the big loser in the end of this Tomato Suspension Agreement is the American consumer as tomato prices increase. And he says reducing consumption or access to fresh fruits and vegetables does not square well with healthy eating and nutritional goals.

“There’s an adage in economics that you either import the people or you import the products when there’s labor cost differences
between two countries,” he says. “The decision was that we don’t want to import the products. And all the news from the weekend is that we don’t want to import the people either. So, there’s a train wreck happening here that you can see coming down the road. There will be labor cost differences between Mexico and the U.S. We either need the people or we need the product. We need to decide, as a society, which one we’re going to do.”

Why Now is the Time To Move Used Construction Iron in the Farm Equipment Auction World

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 18:27:12 GMT

Casey Seymour and Greg “Machinery Pete” Peterson agree now is the time when many farmers spend time shopping for what they call auxiliary machinery — things like wheel loaders, skid steers, track loaders and other compact and heavy utility equipment types.

“Skid steers are one of the first things that pop up when in my mind when I start thinking about that right now,” says Seymour, adding there is almost always a healthy supply of the versatile material movers in the used market.

Machinery Pete recalls skid steer values falling a bit last year due to that high supply, but this year is a different story. Values are trending up on used because, once again, the cost of a brand-new skid steer is high.

(Machinery Pete Facebook)

“Pifer’s Auction had a sale (recently), and I think it was a 2024 Deere 335 P-Tier with 275 hours on it, give or take, and I thought that sold really well at $94,000 hard cash,” Pete says.

Another notable transaction came out of Illinois, Pete recalls. At a Joel Everett Tractors & Auction sale, a 2009 John Deere 325 with under 300 hours sold for $36,000, which was well over the previous auction high of $28,500.

“It was interesting. When they got to the skid steer they paused and said, ‘Hey, folks, this 2009 model is loaded with every single option,’ which is unusual for a 16-year-old model,” Pete adds. “But again, it was palpable how many people wanted that thing, and you know, $36,000 is a big check — but for hardly any hours on it and what you’re going to pay for a new one?”

Pete and Seymour also discuss the firming up they are seeing with used values on some of the large construction equipment seen around the farm, including excavators, wheel loaders and bulldozers.

How Kerr Auctions is Unlocking Export Markets

Alex Kerr of Kerr Auctions joined the guys next to discuss how his auction house is carving out space in the export market.

Kerr says the company has capitalized on growing equipment demand overseas by creating specialized sales that cater to export buyers. These sales often feature equipment that may not have strong domestic buyer interest due to age or condition.

Kerr has established partnerships to help overseas buyers handle logistics and shipping, and the company made the decision to eliminate buyer penalties for high bidders. Both decisions demonstrate a level of transparency and trust that helps put buyer minds at ease, he thinks.

“Specialized sales do well,” Kerr says. “We got to thinking that the export buyers, they hate some of the auction things they deal with. They don’t speak the language; you’ve got to talk to them on WhatsApp, or they have an online only presence.”

Kerr Auction’s next big export-focused Inaugural Farmer/Dealer Consignment Sale is set for Aug. 14. Check out all the details here.

The Rest of the Episode

Shawn Hackett, president and CEO of Hackett Financial, joined the show for an update on where commodity markets sit today and row crop futures prices. Glen Birnbaum, principal with Sikich, came on to talk machine depreciation rates and upcoming changes to tax law.

And Aaron Fintel, used equipment specialist with 21st Century Equipment, gave his view on moving used compact construction equipment out on the western plains.

Head over to YouTube to watch the full episode , and give it a “Thumbs Up” and hit the “Subscribe” button to get every Moving Iron episode as soon as it drops.

What Trade Means for the Future of California Walnuts

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 12:43:33 GMT

Robert Verloop, executive director and CEO of the California Walnut Board (CWB) and the California Walnut Commission (CWC), says things are looking up for walnut growers in the state.

“When I first walked in, people talked about the fact that there were a lot of trees planted in 2016 and 2015 when prices were good,” he says. “There was a promise of an open market to China, which shut down shortly thereafter when they started overproducing their own walnuts. And then there was also the promise of India, and with the change in the government there at that time and putting these tariffs in place, our growers got caught with having too many acres in the ground and the markets not being fully developed.”

Growers currently face a 100% tariff on imports to India, which Verloop hopes will change very soon. The industry has been in a catch-up mode since 2015 and 2016 to expand market access in other countries, he says, adding that the state’s growers export about 65% of its crop, with leading markets in Germany and Turkey.

“We’ll have probably close to 20 markets where we have active programs,” Verloop says. “California walnut handlers and exporters ship to over 50 countries around the world. We have a broad base that we work with, but we’re very interested in some of these key markets — EU (European Union), India and Turkey — that can be the real drivers and foundation builders for our program.”

India is still a relatively small market, Verloop says, but the CWC sees strong potential in the country, which has placed tariffs on U.S. imports since the late 2010s to protect walnut production in Kashmir and then retaliatory tariffs. The U.S. and Chile are the main exporters to India.

Verloop says the economy in India has experienced a major shift. There’s around 350 million to 400 million people in the middle class with more disposable income and changing shopping patterns.

“We see tremendous opportunities there,” he says. “Let’s say this year we’ll ship 15,000 tons. Its potential is up to 120,000 tons. The importers, distributors, they’re all looking forward to the change as well, because they know what it means in consumption. They know what it means in improving health.”

He says while negotiations continue, the CWC is optimistic for some good news soon.

Thanks to the USDA’s Market Access Program, California walnuts have expanded programs into the United Kingdom, Germany, Holland, Spain, Turkey, India, Japan, Korea, Canada and the Middle East, Verloop says. The CWC has also utilized $14 million in the last two years as part of the Regional Agricultural Promotion Program, started by then-Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

Verloop says the CWC plans trade and consumer programs in these markets; for some, it will be both trade and consumer programs, and in other countries, it will just be to expand trade access.

“We’re looking at markets such as Morocco, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and then potentially some additional investments in India and the EU as well,” he says. “It’s possible that we may also look at Algeria and Egypt in the future.”

He says the CWC matches the Regional Agricultural Promotion Program funds, which helps boost the overall reach of the initiatives.

And aside from global markets, Verloop says increasing demand in the U.S. is also another key priority, which includes engaging with the next generations of walnut consumers. This includes working with distributors to ensure proper handling and marketing, he says.

“We feel that there’s still a tremendous amount of opportunity for growth in consumption in the United States, and so we’re trying to take the walnut out of the baking aisle and make it more relevant to today’s consumers,” he says.

USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service Offers MRL Reference Sheets

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 17:55:53 GMT

USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service now offers Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) Quick Reference Sheets. FAS says these sheets provide information about pesticide residue requirements in major export markets for growers and shippers of fruits, vegetables, nuts and more.

Governments set pesticide MRLs, which are non-harmful amounts of pesticide residues that can remain on or in a food product when a pesticide is used according to label directions. FAS said MRLs vary by country and can be complex to track.

The Foreign Agricultural Service says it launched the new resource in partnership with international trade consulting firm Bryant Christie. FAS says it will update the sheets every six months and will cover 60 different specialty crop commodities.

These sheets are free and downloadable.

USDA says it will develop resources to help produce and nut exporters understand and meet foreign regulatory requirements to access new market opportunities and address trade barriers in foreign markets through its Assisting Specialty Crop Exports Initiative.

For more information about resources for U.S. exporters of fruits, vegetables, tree nuts and other specialty crops, visit fas.usda.gov/programs/assisting-specialty-crop-exports-asce-initiative .

Los Angeles Port Grapples with Export Impact From Tariffs

Fri, 20 Jun 2025 20:30:25 GMT

Probably no one is in more of a quandary when it comes to dealing with President Donald Trump’s on-again, off-again trade tariffs than officials at the Port of Los Angeles.

In a June 13 media briefing, the port’s executive director, Gene Seroka, said the port processed 717,000 container units in May, down 5% from the same month last year. May imports fell 9% from last year, and exports were down 5%.

“That lands us at six straight months of declining exports, much of that at the expense of American farmers,” Seroka said.

Of the 195.2 million metric tons handled by the port in 2024, 633,219 metric tons were fruits and vegetables, including imports such as citrus, berries, bananas, melons and asparagus and exports such as citrus, grapes, carrots and onions.

Seroka said he planned to attend the 37^th annual Agriculture Transportation Coalition Conference in Tacoma, Wash., in mid-June, where the agenda included strategizing on “actionable steps both on the ground and in Washington, D.C., to turn the tide and begin boosting U.S. exports.”

Ernie Tedeschi, director of economics at The Budget Lab at Yale, a nonpartisan policy research center, was also on hand for the briefing and said the China trade tariff has raised the average effective tariff rate in the U.S. by 12%.

As it continues to take, the tariff is expected to trigger a 1.5% increase in prices, which would lower the average family’s purchasing power by $2,500 per year, he said.

Seroka said two key milestone dates are coming: Aug. 11, which is the end of the 90-day pause period between the U.S. and China on their negotiations, and July 8 for the rest of the world except for Canada and Mexico.

The president said those dates could be extended, but that only “adds to the complexity that we’re all trying to deal with,” Seroka said.

He added those who work at the port and everyone around agreed that the U.S. needs long-term and comprehensive trade agreements.”

Trump's Aggressive Trade Agenda Is Back On

Thu, 29 May 2025 20:40:20 GMT

The interruption to President Donald Trump’s trade agenda was short lived.

A federal appeals court has now granted the Trump administration’s request to temporarily pause the Wednesday lower-court ruling that declared an emergency law does not provide President Trump with unilateral authority to impose tariffs on nearly every country — a decision that would have blocked reciprocal tariff announcements dating back to February.

The original ruling was issued by a three-judge panel at The U.S. Court of International Trade. The judges said the sweeping tariffs and other global levies imposed under the International Emergency Economic Power Act were unlawful, which invalidates President Trump’s April 2 reciprocal tariff order. That order included 30% tariffs on Chinese imports, 25% tariffs on select goods from Mexico and Canada, as well as a blanket 10% tariff on most imported goods.

The Trump administration then filed a notice of appeal, which was granted on Thursday by a federal appeals court. The pause gives the Trump administration some additional time to prepare to argue the law empowers the president to unilaterally launch a global tariff strategy.

Before the appeal was announced, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt slammed the U.S. Court of International Trade ruling on Trump’s tariffs. Leavitt said the judges were “overstepping their bounds.” You can listen to her comments below.

How could this ruling potentially impact trade? We asked Alan Brugler of Brugler Marketing that question before the appeals court weighed in. He says to answer that, you first need to ask two main questions.

“In the short run, not much. You have to assume the administration is going to appeal the ruling and the question is going to be ‘Will the appeals process result in a stay, either freezing the tariff implementation or allowing it to continue during the appeal process?’ That’s the first question,” Brugler says.

Brugler says his second question is how this could impact current trade negotiations. Just last week, treasury secretary Scott Bessent said he expects several large trade deals to be announced in the next couple of weeks.

“What does it do to the administration’s leverage on the deals that they said we were coming close to,” Brugler adds. “The EU is one example. For now, I think we have to take it with a grain of salt. We also need to remember that it does not affect some of the tariffs, such as the aluminum and steel. Those were implemented under a different section of law that had been used back in the 2017 and 2018 era. Those are still in place. So, it does offer some potential for a lot less aggressive tariff war. But again, this is probably just the first step in the overall process.”

Mike North of Ever.Ag doesn’t think this gives President Trump’s administration less leverage. Instead, he chalks up the ruling to the ongoing theme of federal courts trying to overturn any major action Trump tries to take.

“I think as you look at the landscape, he’s come into office very aggressively — trying to enact very quickly the promises he made in his campaign. Ultimately, as you look at the flow of things, we had to expect the court was going to weigh in on this tariff discussion at some point. There hasn’t been a thing he’s done that hasn’t resulted in some form of a lawsuit, court order, court filing, judgment or otherwise. This is just the natural next step in this discussion,” North says.

North points out there are ways to differentiate how President Trump can leverage this, specifically referencing the 1974 Trade Act.

“That ultimately has many parts and pieces to it, and to Alan’s point, allows him to take a lot of different angles here. So, I don’t think anything that’s come out over the last couple of days on this discussion is really going to change the course of much of anything — at least in the short run,” North says.

What is the U.S. Court of International Trade?
If you’ve never heard of the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT), you aren’t alone. CIT is based in New York, and its purpose is to resolve disputes between governments, manufacturers, trade associations and other parties that may be privy to trade dealings.

According to the Court’s website, “from the time of its establishment, the United States Court of International Trade and its predecessor bodies have been designed to provide a comprehensive system for judicial review of civil actions arising out of import transactions and federal transactions affecting international trade.”

Mark A. Barnett, chief judge at CIT, says, “As the impact of international trade on the U.S. economy has expanded, there has been a corresponding increase in international trade disputes — involving governments, foreign and domestic manufacturers, workers’ unions, trade associations and individuals — and a continued need to provide consistent, fair and impartial adjudication of these disputes. While the nature of these disputes shifts between classification and valuation, unfair trade practices and various types of enforcement measures, the United States Court of International Trade continues to strive for the just, speedy, and inexpensive determination of every action and proceeding brought before it.”

DiSilva Fruit projects strong summer citrus imports

Fri, 23 May 2025 15:49:50 GMT

DiSilva Fruit says its 2025 summer import citrus program — from June through October — will showcase a broad selection of citrus offerings sourced from grower partners across the Southern Hemisphere. Highlights include navels from South Africa and Chile; mandarins from Peru, Uruguay, South Africa and Chile; and lemons from Argentina, Chile and Mexico, according to the company.

“Summer is an underrated time for citrus,” Alden Guptill of DiSilva Fruit said in a news release. “Our early insights from growers point to a high-quality crop with excellent sizing, vibrant flavor and strong volumes. This creates outstanding opportunities for retailers to feature citrus in their summer promotions, helping shoppers discover that citrus is much more than a wintertime favorite — it’s a delicious, refreshing and hydrating snack that fits perfectly into summer lifestyles.”

DiSilva Fruit says citrus represents good value for consumers, combining nutrition with a low price during a time when food costs are top of mind. The company highlights the nutritional value of citrus, saying citrus fruits are loaded with essential nutrients, including vitamin C, antioxidants and dietary fiber.

“We’re seeing more consumers look for functional foods that not only taste great but also provide added health benefits,” Guptill said. “Citrus ticks all the boxes — it’s flavorful, refreshing, nutrient-dense and budget-friendly. It’s an easy choice for families looking to elevate their summer snacking and meals.”

DiSilva Fruit also said it will offer the imported citrus in a range of pack sizes to meet consumers varied needs, including 3-pound and 4-pound bags as well as standard citrus cartons for bulk displays and merchandising flexibility. Lemons will also be available in 5-, 2- and 1-pound consumer packs to meet consumer needs, the company added.

DiSilva Fruit encourages retailers to take advantage of this year’s strong supply and build engaging citrus displays throughout the store — especially in key summer moments like Fourth of July, back-to-school time, and Labor Day. Cross-merchandising opportunities with summer recipes, beverages and wellness themes can further drive sales and inspire consumers to add more citrus to their carts, the company says.

Salix Fruits offers insights with launch of its summer citrus program

Thu, 15 May 2025 20:58:54 GMT

Global importer-exporter Salix Fruits kicked off its 2025 summer citrus program May 15. This marked the beginning of the Southern Hemisphere’s citrus season, according to the company, and the launch featured products such as lemons, mandarins, oranges and grapefruits.

Salix Fruits CEO Alejandro Moralejo said this season is significant for the company as citrus remains one of its core product categories.

“After a challenging 2024, 2025 presents new dynamics in the global citrus market. As different regions complete their seasons, Northern Hemisphere producers set expectations for exporters and traders in the Southern Hemisphere,” Moralejo said in a news release.

Salix Fruits highlighted several factors shaping this year’s citrus trade landscape. For example, Europe is experiencing lower volumes due to spring frosts in Turkey, impacting the export of lemons, mandarins, oranges and fine fruit, which may also affect the start of the 2025-26 season. Additionally, Spain’s decreased production of verna lemons, the early conclusion of Moroccan mandarin shipments and strong demand for Egyptian oranges indicate that Europe and Russia will be promising markets for exports from South Africa, Argentina, Peru and Chile.

Meanwhile, U.S. citrus production has been significantly high across most varieties, particularly lemons, reducing immediate interest in imports from the Southern Hemisphere, according to Salix Fruits. On the supply side, Argentina and Chile have recovered their lemon production, while Chile reports strong mandarin volumes but lower orange yields. Peru is set to increase its mandarin output, while South Africa anticipates an average production year.

“These production fluctuations create supply and demand opportunities, and this is where Salix Fruits’ global sourcing and sales network becomes a critical advantage for our clients,” Moralejo said, noting that the company has offices in the U.S., Egypt, South Africa, Argentina, Chile, Spain, India and across Asia.

“The U.S. remains a priority market for us, with consistent citrus demand,” Moralejo added. “Our global presence allows us to tailor supply according to regional needs.”

One of the main challenges for 2025 is uncertainty surrounding new U.S. tariff policies, which have delayed sales program closures and created complexities in international trade negotiations, the company said.