Guakamol has been protected from tariffs. However, the salsa may not be so lucky.
Mexican avocades have been threatened with tariffs, US government has planned to keep about 20% tariff on new Mexican tomatoes from July 7. A tariff – like tariff – a tax on imports, and it will affect 4 billion pounds of tomato from US imports from Mexico every year.
Supporters say that this tariff will help to rebuild the shrinking US tomato industry and to ensure that the US -eating production is also born there. According to a trade group called Florida Tomato Exchange, Mexico currently provides about 70% of US tomato markets.
Robert Genter, executive vice president of Florida Tomato Exchange, said, “If we do not play in the playground in a fair price, you will not keep any domestic industry for fresh tomatoes in the near future.” Florida and California are the top US producers of Tomato, but most of California becomes crop sauce and other products.
Opponents say that the responsibility will make fresh tomatoes more expensive for our buyers. San Antonio-based company Naturewit, which is born in the United States as well as tomatoes in Mexico, says that if the decision does not vomit, millions of dollars will be paid every month.
“We’ll find ways to adapt or flow to our activities, but the truth is that we are always doing it so we’re already running a skilled business,” Skip Hulat, chief legal officer of Naturewit, said. “Production is not a large-Margin business We are determining which part of the part we can absorb, but these additional expenditures must go to the customer.”
Team Richards, a professor at the Morrison School of Agrages of Arizona State University, hopes that US retail prices will rise by about 10.5% for tomatoes.
The Mexico government said last month that it was confirmed that it could discuss the matter. But if the responsibility is in effect, Mexican President Clodia Shineboum indicates that Mexico could take similar action against the US imported chicken and pork
Tomato has a long history of tog-off-wire. In 1996, the US trade department investigated shortly after the North American Free Trade Agreement, which Mexico is artificially exporting tomatoes to the United States, which is a practice known as dumping.
If Mexico sells tomatoes at a minimum price, the US government has agreed to postpone the investigation. From that time the agreement has been subject to periodic review, but both sides have always reached an agreement that avoids responsibility.
However, last month, the Department of Commerce announced the withdrawal of the latest agreement that it was flooded with US tomato farmers who wanted better protection from Mexican imports.
The Genter of Florida Tomato Exchange says that although Mexican exporters need to charge the minimum price, shipments are only spotted, so exporters can get it. However, in general, Mexico hit US industry because it costs 40% to 50% less than 40% to raise tomatoes, Gentar said. The land is cheap, labor cheap and the inputs like seeds and fertilizers cost less, he said.
Tomatoes are a labor -intensive crop, Gentar, and US industry usually depends on migrant workers through visa programs in H -2. This program needs to be paid to the workers of $ 16.98 per hour for farmers last year, it is more difficult to find a amount that has jumped as labor. Richards assumes that workers on the Mexican tomato farm earn about ten -thirds.
NatureSuit admits that it is more expensive to grow tomatoes in Mexico, but says that climate is one of the largest causes. Due to year -long weather conditions, the company does not require illumination, heating or cooling system.
“You can transfer some industries, but you cannot transfer climate agriculture,” said Hulat.
“Florida our customers do not produce ripe tomatoes,” said Lance Jangmier, president of the Fresh Product Association, USA, representing Mexican tomato importers. He said he was selected when the Florida tomatoes were sent to ripen to green and warehouses.
“The special tomatoes that Florida have closed does not increase, but they want protection,” Jangmia said. “Their market shares are declining due to their own choice.”
Guenter does not agree. “If you put a Florida tomato against a Mexican tomato, I think it will do it very well in the taste test,” he said.
The Mexican restaurant in Fort Worth, Texas, does not want to go to any US producer, Adrian, co-owner of Done Artemio, Done Artemio. He compares it to fine wine; If he wants a good Cabernate Savigonon, he got it from Napa in California, but if he wants a good tomato that reminds him of his childhood, he gets it from Mexico.
“We know that they will bring the tastes that they will bring to Salas and the molls.
Barciaga said that his restaurant used 300 to 400 pounds of Roma tomatoes every week from Mexico. He currently pays $ 19 for crate tomatoes at 25 pounds. He does not taste the extra expense, but he thinks he has no alternative.
Barciaga said that tomatoes threatened the tariffs and other tariffs against Mexico – which was set up in February but then the break was made – making its business difficult.
“The part of uncertainty worry us. A small or medium restaurants budget the subjects. “But we don’t already know these things you plan how you plan and how do you respond?”
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AP reporter Maria Virza contributed to Mexico City.
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