By Leonard Park The Florida blueberry season that began in the summer of 2022 culminated in one of the smallest spring harvests in years. The main culprit was Hurricane Ian. However, the lack of chill hours in December, followed by two harsh cold snaps over the holidays, affected other regions with damaged flower buds and crop delays. For most growers, …
Florida Tomato Growers File Request to End Suspension Agreement
On June 16, the Florida Tomato Exchange filed a request with the U.S. Department of Commerce to terminate the 2019 tomato suspension agreement because it has failed to stop unfairly traded Mexican tomatoes from destroying the U.S. tomato industry. Since 1996, five different suspension agreements have tried to stop the unfair trade practices used by Mexican tomato exporters, but each …
Secretary Vilsack Statement on Trip to Mexico
WASHINGTON – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack released the following statement on Monday after his meeting with Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador on the U.S.- Mexico bilateral trade relationship and its importance for U.S. farmers, ranchers and producers: “We appreciate the president welcoming us to Mexico and engaging in a productive dialogue. The meetings provided a venue to raise the …
Florida Farmer Testimonial: I Think Trade is Probably Our Biggest Issue
By Clint Thompson The constant influx of foreign imports on top of Florida vegetables has impacted one producer in how he farms. Chuck Obern with C&B Farms, located south of Clewiston, has discontinued planting certain vegetables he has grown for years. He produced peppers and eggplant for 30 years. But he couldn’t compete with rising imports, so he stopped. “I …
FFVA Statement on USTR’s Response to Section 301 Petition
This week the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced that it will pursue avenues to assist the Southeast seasonal produce industry in coordination with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) after members of Congress requested an examination of certain issues in a Sept. 8, 2022, Section 301 petition. The Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA) released …
Florida Tomato Specialist: Promotions, Marketing Need to Improve
By Clint Thompson Florida’s tomato industry needs to improve its promotional efforts in educating consumers about the benefits of supporting locally grown produce. That is the stance shared by Michael Schadler, manager of the Florida Tomato Committee and executivevice president of the Florida Tomato Exchange. He stressed during the Florida Tomato Conference in Labelle, Florida earlier this month that Florida …
Tomato Industry Expert Voices Frustration Over TSA
By Clint Thompson One tomato industry expert remains frustrated at the lack of enforcement over the Tomato Suspension Agreement (TSA). Michael Schadler, manager of the Florida Tomato Committee and executivevice president of the Florida Tomato Exchange, voiced his frustrations at the Florida Tomato Conference in Labelle, Florida, over the Agreement. It is an agreement between the Department of Commerce (DOC) …