By Clint Thompson Mexican imports of produce into the United States continues to be a problem for American farmers. They especially felt the sting this year amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Southeast growers had to overcome a declining market when restaurants and schools closed in March for fears of COVID-19. They also were overshadowed by the constant influx of Mexican …
Strawberry Grower Addresses Trade, Labor
Gary Wishnatzki, chief executive officer of Wish Farms, was one of several strawberry growers who met with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and two congressmen in Plant City recently. Growers at that meeting said Mexican subsidization of its agricultural industry is a problem, as is the H-2A program, which allows temporary foreign agricultural labor into the United States. Wishnatzki …
Public Field Hearings on Foreign Trade Policies and Produce
(FBGA) — The Office of the United States Trade Representative, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the United States Department of Commerce will hold public hearings in Florida (April 7) and Georgia (April 9) to discuss foreign trade policies that may be harming American growers of seasonal and perishable produce. At the hearings, officials from the federal agencies will hear …
Trade Deals Could Mean Brighter Days for Farmers
By Clint Thompson Jeffrey Dorfman, Georgia’s state fiscal economist and professor in the University of Georgia (UGA) Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, believes agriculture is currently in an “OK place” amid low commodity prices. Speaking at the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Ag Forecast meeting at the Tifton Campus Conference Center on Jan. 31, Dorfman highlighted recent …
Seasonal Farm Trade Tensions Between the United States and Mexico
In spite of the good will generated after the United States and Mexico approved the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, there could be more tensions between the two countries surrounding produce. The Financial Post says Mexico responded to a letter from the top U.S. trade negotiator, Robert Lighthizer, pledging protectionist measures on seasonal farm trade for producers in the politically important states of …
Taking on Trade Issues
By Clint Thompson The idea of fair trade doesn’t exist for Georgia blueberry farmer Jerome Crosby. He’s hoping something can be done to rectify the situation to ensure long-term sustainability for fruit and vegetable producers. Crosby, who produces 350 acres of blueberries in Willacoochee, Georgia, was a guest panelist during a session held at this year’s Southeast Regional Fruit and …
Ag Groups Respond to Senate Passage of USMCA
Yesterday we reported that many agricultural groups were pleased with the signing of the phase-one trade agreement between the United States and China. Today, the trade news continues as the U.S. Senate has passed the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) by a vote of 89-10. Many agricultural groups also cheered that news. Secretary Perdue Statement on Senate Passage of USMCA (USDA) — …
Ag Groups Respond to Phase One Trade Deal Signing
Secretary Perdue: China Phase I Deal is a Bonanza for American Agriculture U.S. Secretary Perdue issued the following statement after President Donald J. Trump signed the historic Phase One Trade Agreement between the United States and China: “This agreement is proof President Trump’s negotiating strategy is working. While it took China a long time to realize President Trump was serious, …
Phase One Trade Deal Signing: ‘Momentous Day for U.S. Agriculture’
President Donald Trump and Chinese Vice Premier Liu He signed the phase one trade deal between the two countries in the East Room of the White House on Wednesday morning. The agreement comes after more than 18 months of imbittered trade relations between the United States and China, creating a significant strain on the agricultural industry. “This is a very …
Senator David Perdue on USMCA and Phase One China Trade Deal
By Clint Thompson Georgia Senator David Perdue is optimistic about Wednesday’s phase one trade deal that the United States will sign with China that includes the foreign country increasing its purchasing of US agricultural products by $32 billion over the next two years. “My suggestion all along was to go to an incremental phase approach with China. They wanted to …