July USMCA review draws chorus to protect U.S. fruit, vegetable growers

A mandatory joint review of the USMCA trade agreement is slated to take place on July 1 and specialty crop advocacy groups are urging the Trump administration to use the talks to “address specialty crop industry concerns related to imports from Mexico.”

In a letter to U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer dated May 12 and signed by 79 members of Congress, lawmakers urge Greer to “evaluate trade actions that can safeguard U.S. growers from unfair pressures from Mexico.”

Issues highlighted within the congressional letter include:

• Growing volumes of low-priced imports from Mexico entering U.S. markets during peak domestic growing periods
• Significant competitive disadvantages tied to labor, production, regulatory and environmental compliance costs
• Ongoing economic pressure facing U.S. specialty crop growers and processors
• The long-term viability of domestic specialty crop production and continued access to high-quality, domestically grown food

The letter states: “Many American growers of fruit, vegetable and certain tree nut commodities and products are under unsustainable pressure from growing volumes of products unfairly entering U.S. markets. These imports flood the U.S. market, often at the same time U.S. crops are reaching their peak in-season period, with prices at or below the cost of production for U.S. producers. Additionally, many of these commodities are seasonal and/or perishable, creating unique challenges for identifying markets as these products must be harvested, marketed, and consumed within a limited window of time.”

The Washington Red Raspberry Commission (WRRC) also issued a statement ahead of the upcoming review.

“For Washington’s raspberry growers, underpriced fruit imports from Mexico represent a serious concern,” said Gavin Willis, executive director, WRRC. “When our growers can’t compete with imports from areas with substantially lower wage costs and reduced regulatory and environmental compliance requirements, our domestic food security is put at risk. The upcoming USMCA review provides the U.S. government an opportunity to address these issues head-on.”

You can read the full letter here.