Trade Archives - Specialty Crop Industry https://specialtycropindustry.com/category/trade/ Vegetable and Specialty Crop News Wed, 05 Jul 2023 18:07:34 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.3.1 116110416 Seeking Innovation and New Opportunities in a Competitive Market https://specialtycropindustry.com/seeking-innovation-and-new-opportunities-in-a-competitive-market/ Thu, 06 Jul 2023 10:45:00 +0000 https://specialtycropindustry.com/?p=22429 By Frank Giles Michael Schadler, executive vice president of the Florida Tomato Exchange, discusses how the season has progressed and ongoing trade issues with Mexico. How has the tomato season gone thus far for Florida growers? Schadler: The start of the season was tremendously challenging for much of the industry due to Hurricane Ian. The fall crop in parts of Central ...

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]]> 22429 Agricultural Trade Mission to Japan https://specialtycropindustry.com/agricultural-trade-mission-to-japan/ Fri, 16 Jun 2023 12:30:00 +0000 https://specialtycropindustry.com/?p=22293 A country known for its many purchases of U.S. agricultural products could soon become a greater buyer following an agricultural trade mission (ATM). Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade Alexis Taylor brought almost 40 U.S. food companies and commodity groups to Japan in hopes of boosting farm and food exports to the country. “I heard a lot of real positive ...

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]]> 22293 Latest Forecasts: Exports Down $3.5 Billion; Imports Down $1.0 Billion https://specialtycropindustry.com/latest-forecasts-exports-down-3-5-billion-imports-down-1-0-billion/ Tue, 06 Jun 2023 15:30:00 +0000 https://specialtycropindustry.com/?p=22206 U.S. agricultural exports in fiscal year (FY) 2023 are forecast at $181.0 billion, down $3.5 billion from the February forecast, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service and Foreign Agricultural Service Situation and Outlook Report. Horticultural exports are unchanged at $39.0 billion, though the forecast for sugar and tropical product exports is revised up $400 million to ...

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]]> 22206 Georgia Industry Expert: Just Because It’s Cheap Doesn’t Make it Better https://specialtycropindustry.com/georgia-producer-just-because-its-cheap-doesnt-make-it-better/ Tue, 06 Jun 2023 15:00:00 +0000 https://specialtycropindustry.com/?p=22204 By Clint Thompson The specialty crop sector would be challenged to find a company more passionate and devoted to the future and sustainability of its farmers than those affiliated with Lewis Taylor Farms. Bill Brim, co-owner of the farming operation in Tifton, Georgia, has long advocated for the American farmer and against unfair trade which has negatively impacted producers across ...

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]]> 22204 UF’s Guan Highlights Trade Deficit with Mexico During Outlook Conference https://specialtycropindustry.com/ufs-guan-highlights-trade-deficit-with-mexico-during-outlook-conference/ Fri, 10 Mar 2023 13:00:00 +0000 https://specialtycropindustry.com/?p=21410 By Clint Thompson The United States’ trade deficit with Mexico regarding fresh fruits and vegetables directly impacts Florida’s specialty crop producers. With imports from Mexico intensifying in recent years, the problem has increasingly become worse, according to University of Florida (UF) associate professor Zhengfei Guan. He highlighted the problem during last week’s Florida Agricultural Policy Outlook Conference. “We see that ...

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]]> 21410 USDA Projections: Exports Decreasing, Imports Increasing in 2023 https://specialtycropindustry.com/usda-projections-exports-decreasing-imports-increasing-in-2023/ Wed, 01 Mar 2023 11:45:00 +0000 https://specialtycropindustry.com/?p=21305 By Clint Thompson Fruit and vegetable producers in the Southeast will be disappointed to learn that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) revised Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 trade forecast projects lower exports and a record imports, according to Seth Meyer, chief economist with the USDA. He provided the update during the USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum held last week. Exports are ...

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]]> 21305 Buchanan, Soto, Rubio, Scott Introduce Legislation to Protect Florida’s Seasonal Growers https://specialtycropindustry.com/buchanan-soto-rubio-scott-introduce-legislation-to-protect-floridas-seasonal-growers/ Fri, 17 Feb 2023 12:00:00 +0000 https://specialtycropindustry.com/?p=21203 WASHINGTON – Unfair trade practices with Mexico continue to be at the forefront of Florida’s specialty crop producers. Legislators are doing what they can to protect seasonal producers. Congressman Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.) and Congressman Darren Soto (D-Fla.) introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation earlier this month to help Florida fruit and vegetable growers combat Mexico’s unfair trade practices. “Illegal seasonal dumping and ...

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]]> 21203 Mexico Minimum Wage to Increase in 2023 https://specialtycropindustry.com/mexico-minimum-wage-to-increase-in-2023/ Wed, 14 Dec 2022 13:15:00 +0000 https://specialtycropindustry.com/?p=20592 One of the main points of contention regarding unfair trade with Mexico for Southeast specialty crop producers is the microscopic minimum wage Mexican employers pay their employees. That compensation will increase, according to Mexican president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO). He has announced a plan to raise the minimum wage by 20% in 2023, according to Mexico News Daily. The ...

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]]> 20592 Secretary Vilsack Statement on Trip to Mexico https://specialtycropindustry.com/secretary-vilsack-statement-on-trip-to-mexico/ Thu, 01 Dec 2022 11:15:00 +0000 https://specialtycropindustry.com/?p=20463 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 ...

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]]> 20463 Florida Farmer Testimonial: I Think Trade is Probably Our Biggest Issue https://specialtycropindustry.com/florida-testimonial-mexico-imports/ Fri, 11 Nov 2022 11:00:00 +0000 https://specialtycropindustry.com/?p=20298 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 ...

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