USDA Report: Fresh Vegetable Imports Up in 2022

Jim Rogers Exports/Imports

It should come as no surprise to specialty crop producers in the Southeast, but fresh vegetable import volume was up in 2022, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service Situation and Outlook Report. The U.S. remained a net importer of fresh market vegetables in volume and value in calendar year 2022. Some of the trade highlights for …

U.S. Trade Representative Acknowledges Problem With Rising Imports

Jim Rogers Exports/Imports

By Clint Thompson The U.S. trade representative (USTR) promised specialty crop producers help but not an investigation into imports of Mexican produce. For one industry leader, that is at least an acknowledgement that Southeast fruit and vegetable producers are suffering from unfair trade practices. “The fact that they’ve agreed to set up a stakeholder committee is an acknowledgment that they …

GFVGA’s Butts: We Are Enthused That USTR is Establishing a Panel

Jim Rogers Exports/Imports

By Clint Thompson The U.S. Trade Representative’s (USTR) pledge of assistance to specialty crop producers was needed for growers suffering from increased imports from Mexico. Even if ambassador Katherine Tai opted not to follow through on a Section 301 petition to assist the Southeast seasonal produce industry, she pledged to work with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to establish an …

USTR, USDA, to Pursue Avenues to Assist Seasonal Produce

Jim Rogers Exports/Imports

WASHINGTON – The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced on Sunday 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. Southeast producers have faced challenges, which …

Senator Ossoff Assures Pecan Growers Indian Tariffs a Top Priority

Jim Rogers Exports/Imports, Pecan, Trade

By Clint Thompson Senator Jon Ossoff’s (D-GA) visit to South Georgia a month ago yielded positive dialogue with the state’s pecan growers and industry leaders. One of the concerns that the Georgia Pecan Growers Association voiced was the high tariffs that India has imposed on U.S. pecans. A month later, Ossoff assures producers that reducing or eliminating those tariffs is …

Georgia Farmer Testifies About Imports Impact During Senate Hearing

Jim Rogers Berries, Exports/Imports, Georgia

By Clint Thompson A Senate hearing held on June 9 allowed one Georgia blueberry producer to discuss the challenge of competing against imports from other countries. Karla Thompson, representing JET Farms in Camilla, Georgia, testified in a hearing held by the Senate Subcommittee on Commodities, Risk Management and Trade. The discussion highlighted rising imports and their impact on Georgia producers. …

georgia pecan

Point of Emphasis: Pecan Leader Stresses Tariff Reduction into India

Jim Rogers Exports/Imports, Pecan

By Clint Thompson One of the National Pecan Federation’s main points of emphasis was highlighted by the Georgia Pecan Growers Association when a U.S. senator visited the state last week. Senator Jon Ossoff’s (D-GA) visit to South Georgia allowed Samantha McLeod, executive director of the Georgia Pecan Growers Association, to stress the importance of reducing import tariffs into India. “One …