Florida and Georgia remain two of the leading cucumber-producing states in the country. Along with Michigan and North Carolina, they harvest more than 60% of the nation’s fresh market acres, according to USDA Vegetable and Pulses April Outlook. However, imports continue to challenge the two states for market supremacy, accounting for more than three-fourths of domestic availability, up from less …
Georgia Produce Farmer: (Mexico) Doesn’t Care About Costs
What should be an advantage to Southeast producers against Mexico is anything but, believes Georgia vegetable farmer Dick Minor. Freight prices continue to spike, which has only worsened since gas prices continue to increase. But that doesn’t matter to produce originating out of Mexico, Minor added. “High freight rates are our friend or should be technically our friend from a …
Florida Farmer: It’s Going to Take a Movement
Two farmers. Two states. One message: The government needs to do more to support the American farmer. In an era of increasing costs and imports that continue to flood the marketplace, more and more farmers express concern about the decreasing role American farms have in feeding our country. “Florida specialty crops is really getting the raw end of the deal …
Labor Shortage? Not According to Southeast Farmers, Industry Leaders
One of the focal points of the U.S. International Trade Commission hearing on the impact imports of cucumbers and squash have on the domestic industry is labor; how much it costs and the availability of it. Lance Jungmeyer, president of the Fresh Produce Association of Americas, insists the lack of workers has led to a quality issue with produce grown …
Mexico Tops List of Importing Countries
Imports of fresh fruits and vegetables continue to flood the U.S. markets and it is only increasing. According to the USDA Economic Research Service, Mexico was the top importer of fresh or frozen fruits as well as fresh or frozen vegetables. Its fruit imports tallied $3.21 billion from October 2020 to February 2021. Its an increase from the $3.03 billion …
Market Manipulation: Vegetable Farmers Vulnerable to Increasing Imports
The vegetable and specialty crop sector is vulnerable to market manipulation. That makes what Mexico is accomplishing through its increased imports of cucumbers and squash dangerous for the future of the American farmer, claims Georgia farmer Dick Minor. “In 2018, the combined acres planted into fresh market cucumbers of the top five producing states was less than 30,000 acres,” Minor …
Secretary of Ag Discusses Timely Issues Facing Southeast Vegetable Producers
Two issues at the forefront of vegetable and specialty crop producers in the Southeast is H-2A and imports from countries like Mexico. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack discussed both issues and sympathizes with growers in the Southeast. “We’re looking at ways in which we’re able to provide some help and assistance to them under the COVID relief packages that were …
FFVA Issues Statement Following USITC Hearing on Cucumbers, Squash
The Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA) issued a statement following Thursday’s U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) hearing regarding the impact of imports on the Southeast domestic cucumber and squash crops. The statement read: “Today’s hearing was a positive development in our ongoing efforts to secure trade relief for Florida growers. For decades, unfair trade practices from Mexico and other …
Florida Farmer: We Need Relief and We Need it Now
Florida farmer Marie Bedner said it best: “We need relief, and we need it now.” The Florida farmer testified on Thursday during the U.S. International Trade Commission hearing regarding the impact that imports of squash and cucumbers are having on the domestic industry. Dumping Produce Bedner cited Mexico’s low labor costs and government subsidies for how Mexico can sell its …
Increased Imports: U.S. Too Reliant on Foreign Produce?
It’s a disheartening scenario but one that farmers face every day due to rising imports from Mexico. “Every morning I start my day by spending hours on the phone with produce buyers across the country, trying to sell my product. I get the same answer, ‘No, we don’t need any,’ they would say,” said Georgia farmer Sam Watson. “At least …