The Arizona State Senate is the latest in a line of defenders fighting to protect Arizona businesses and American consumers of fresh tomatoes.
On February 15, 2024, Senate President Pro Tempore Thomas "T.J." Shope read a proclamation on the Senate Floor calling on the Department of Commerce to maintain the Tomato Suspension Agreement, a long-standing trade agreement.
The agreement is under attack by Florida tomato marketers who want the federal government to restrict the importation of many preferred tomato varieties and pack styles such as grape, cherry, heirloom, Roma, medley packs, and new snacking tomatoes.
The proclamation draws attention to the economic, cultural, and trade ties between Arizona and Mexico, emphasizing the agreement's role in maintaining stability in the U.S. tomato market for over two decades. 1.1 billion pounds of tomatoes are imported through Nogales, Arizona, annually.
1.1 billion pounds of tomatoes are imported through Nogales, Arizona, annually.
In part, the proclamation states: "Whereas, the State of Arizona and its business community have a long history of bilateral trade and cultural ties with Mexico which are deeply intertwined and dependent on trade with our Mexican partners, and...
Whereas, should the USDOC proceed with the termination of the agreement, all U.S. companies importing Mexican tomatoes would be subject to a 20.91 percent tariff that must be paid for each shipment of tomatoes, resulting in severe economic harm to Arizona businesses, Arizona jobs, and the Arizona economy, and...
Whereas, high duties would negatively impact consumers by increasing prices on tomatoes at the marketplace while limiting the supply of vine-ripened and specialty tomatoes predominantly imported by Arizona companies..."
In addition to the Arizona Legislature, statewide support for the agreement has come from various government and community supporters. Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs publicly supported the state's tomato businesses in a letter to Secretary Gina Raimondo from the Department of Commerce, stating, "Arizona companies have led the way in innovation. Our companies have diversified their business to bring U.S. consumers high-quality vine ripe tomatoes...Arizona companies know that to thrive, they have to evolve."
At the federal level, the Arizona Congressional Delegation led and signed a bicameral, bipartisan letter with 34 Members of Congress calling for the Department of Commerce to maintain the agreement. Signatories included Arizona Senators Kyrsten Sinema and Mark Kelly and Arizona Members of the House, including Congressman Greg Stanton, Congressman Juan Ciscomani, Congressman Ruben Gallego, Congressman Raul Grijalva, Congressman David Schweikert, Congresswoman Debbie Lesko, and Congressman Andy Biggs.
Groups like the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Arizona Restaurant Association, the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Phoenix Chamber, Mayors from Nogales, San Luis, Yuma, and Douglas, and over 100 companies signed letters to the Department of Commerce urging them to maintain the agreement.
For more information:
Lance Jungmeyer
Fresh Produce Association of the Americas
lance@freshfrommexico.com
www.freshfrommexico.com
Allison Moore
Fresh Produce Association of the Americas
amoore@freshfrommexico.com
www.freshfrommexico.com