AMES, IOWA – Mexican Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development Victor Villalobos and United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack issued the following statement at the conclusion of their bilateral meeting in Ames, Iowa on Wednesday. “We reaffirm the importance of our two nations’ exceptional agricultural trading relationship and its role in supporting rural prosperity, creating good jobs and providing …
Letter to President: Action Needed Now Against ‘Unfair’ Imports
The message is clear: Action is needed immediately against “unfair” imports. Florida Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott, along with more than half of Florida’s congressional delegation, pleaded with President Joe Biden in a letter addressed on Oct. 6 that the “long-standing threats posed to our security by unfairly-priced and high-volume imports are as grave as ever and deserve your …
Tomato Trade: Impact Could Cost U.S. Growers $250 Million a Year
An increase of Mexican tomato exports leads to decreased prices for U.S. producers. University of Florida (UF) research confirms that if imports increase by 50% in the coming years, it would cost farmers as much as $252 million per year. This equates to 27% in revenue. That decline is due to competition from Mexico and other challenges, said Zhengfei Guan, …
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 …
Voice of Leadership: Congressman Scott Sounds Off on Mexican Imports
How can you stay in business by selling a commodity for less than the inputs required to produce it? While it may sound like simple economics, it’s a financial game that’s just not adding up for many Southeast vegetable and specialty crop producers? What’s the ‘X’ factor? Imports from foreign countries like Mexico, Peru and Chile. If they continue to …
FFVA President: (Food Security’s) a National Security Issue
Feb. 11, 2021 could be a date that lives in infamy for Florida’s vegetable and specialty crop growers. At least that’s the way Mike Joyner views the U.S. International Trade Commission’s (USITC) unanimous verdict regarding blueberry imports. “As a result of that 5-0 ruling, I would completely agree with you, it was a gut punch for our growers,” said Joyner, …
Overwhelming: Challenges Mounting for Producers to Stay Afloat
Challenges continue to mount for Southeast produce farmers. There is a fear among producers in Florida and Georgia that one day obstacles like Mexican imports and rising costs will be too much for growers to overcome. It will lead to producers going out of business and this country becoming reliant on foreign countries for food. “An older guy told me …
Vegetable Farmer: We’re Going to Start Dropping Like Flies Eventually
What would it look and feel like for the United States to be totally dependent on foreign countries for food? While it’s a scenario that might seem unfathomable for some, it’s a proposition that keeps inching closer to reality. “If things don’t change and they keep going the course they’re going, people are going to look up one day and …
Letter Highlights ‘Deteriorating Trade Relationship’ with Mexico
The vegetable and specialty crop sector was highlighted this week in a letter sent by several organizations, including American Farm Bureau Federation, to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai. The organizations spoke of a “trade relationship with Mexico that has declined markedly, a trend USMCA’s implementation has not reversed.” Among the concerns brought forth include organic …
War of Deception: Consumer Awareness Key in Support of American Farmers
In the ongoing war between supporting local farmers against the influx of imports, American farmers need consumers to fight back. The significance of where food originates may never be more important than it is right now. With imports continuing to flood markets for various commodities, the end result is farmers contemplating selling their land. Others are wondering what else can …