Mexican agricultural imports for fiscal year (FY) 2025 is projected up 4% over FY 2024 at $49.9 billion, according to USDA Economic Research Service and Foreign Agricultural Service Situation and Outlook Report. Strong domestic demand for fresh fruits and vegetables continue to drive the potential increase. Exchange rates, drought in Mexico’s key producing regions and supply chain logistic challenges may …
Greenhouse Bell Pepper, Tomato Imports Increased in 2023
Greenhouse bell pepper and tomato imports increased in 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service Situation and Outlook Report. The U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census reported organic and greenhouse trade for some vegetables and pulse crops. Some of the highlights included: Greenhouse bell pepper import volume was up 6.2 million pounds, 1% higher …
Fresh Strawberry Imports, Exports Up
Southeast strawberry growers continue to be threatened by fresh strawberry imports from other countries, mainly Mexico. According to U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service Situation and Outlook Report, fresh strawberry import volume increased 4% in 2023, from 564 million pounds to 589 million pounds. It marked the fifth straight year that import volumes have increased. The nominal value of …
Ag Exports Projected at $169.5 Billion
U.S. agricultural exports in fiscal year (FY) 2024 are projected to be $169.5 billion, which would be a decrease of $2.5 billion from the August forecast. Horticultural product exports remain unchanged at $39.5 billion, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service and Foreign Agricultural Service Situation and Outlook Report. Whole and processed tree nuts, like pecans, are …
FY 2024 Imports Forecast Up Compared to ’23
By Clint Thompson U.S. agricultural imports in FY 2024 are projected at $4.6 billion more than the FY 2023 and $500 million more than the forecast in August, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service and Foreign Agricultural Service Situation and Outlook Report. The ’24 forecast is at $200 billion, compared to $195.4 billion in ’23. The …
Undersecretary Keys in on Specialty Crop Trade
While meeting with reporters at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting annual convention, USDA Undersecretary for Trade, Alexis Taylor, keyed in on trade missions that could be particularly beneficial to the nation’s specialty crop industries. Taylor said funding from the USDA will also help the industry with trade challenges. “In addition to some market development work, we’re doing a hundred …
USDA Report: Fresh Vegetable Imports Up in 2022
It should come as no surprise to specialty crop producers in the Southeast, but fresh vegetable import volume was up in 2022, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service Situation and Outlook Report. The U.S. remained a net importer of fresh market vegetables in volume and value in calendar year 2022. Some of the trade highlights for …
India’s Reduction of Pecan Tariffs a ‘Huge Deal’ for Producers
By Clint Thompson India’s reduced tariffs on U.S. pecan exports is a huge win for producers in the Southeast. “It’s a huge deal. It’s going to potentially open up another huge market that we desperately need. It may take a little while to get it going, but the first hurdle has been cleared any way,” says Lenny Wells, University of …
U.S. Trade Representative Acknowledges Problem With Rising Imports
By Clint Thompson The U.S. trade representative (USTR) promised specialty crop producers help but not an investigation into imports of Mexican produce. For one industry leader, that is at least an acknowledgement that Southeast fruit and vegetable producers are suffering from unfair trade practices. “The fact that they’ve agreed to set up a stakeholder committee is an acknowledgment that they …
GFVGA’s Butts: We Are Enthused That USTR is Establishing a Panel
By Clint Thompson The U.S. Trade Representative’s (USTR) pledge of assistance to specialty crop producers was needed for growers suffering from increased imports from Mexico. Even if ambassador Katherine Tai opted not to follow through on a Section 301 petition to assist the Southeast seasonal produce industry, she pledged to work with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to establish an …