Ontario's vegetable growers are concerned over threat of tariffs being imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. The organization says over 85 percent of the produce grown in Ontario is destined for the United States each year. That equates to 475 million kilograms, worth $1.6 billion.
Speaking on AM800's The Shift with Patty Handysides, Richard Lee, executive director, Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers says this ultimately will lead to increased costs for the end consumer, which are Americans.
"We have approximately 4,100 acres of greenhouse across Ontario that grow cucumbers, tomatoes and peppers," he said. "80 percent of that is located right here in Windsor and Essex County, and that's strategic based on our location."
"We have been communicating with our retailers and ensuring that they can pass those tariffs at additional costs off to the end consumer," Lee said. "There's no way that the current supply would chain would be able to absorb those costs. The margins just aren't there."
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