The Texas International Produce Association (TIPA) warns that if the U.S. Department of Commerce terminates the U.S.-Mexico Tomato Suspension Agreement (TSA) this summer, Americans could face skyrocketing tomato prices, widespread job losses, and major disruptions across national food supply chains.
Last month, industry leaders gathered for a press conference at Traveler Produce in Pharr, Texas, to call on federal officials to preserve and modernize the TSA — an agreement that has protected American consumers and businesses for nearly three decades.
"The Tomato Suspension Agreement works," said Dante Galeazzi, president and CEO of TIPA. "We need access to more fresh produce, not less. For the sake of our health, our communities' economic well-being, and our taste buds, we must preserve and modernize this agreement rather than dismantle it."
"The Tomato Suspension Agreement works," said Galeazzi. "We need access to more fresh produce, not less."
The proposed termination, scheduled to take effect July 14, 2025, would impose a 21 percent anti-dumping duty on Mexican tomatoes, which industry experts and economists warn would sharply increase prices and threaten availability nationwide.
"South Texans need economic stability, not chaos and higher prices. The termination of the Tomato Suspension Agreement will be detrimental to produce prices in Texas and the Rio Grande Valley," said Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX). "About 50 percent of all Mexican tomatoes enter through ports of entry in the Rio Grande Valley and are an essential food in our community. I have always been a staunch advocate for more fair trade between our trading partners, but the termination of this agreement will cause us more harm than good."
That harm can have a huge impact on Texas and the U.S. economies. According to a 2025 economic study conducted by Texas A&M University's Center for North American Studies, the United States imported $3.12 billion worth of fresh tomatoes from Mexico, supporting 46,936 American jobs including an impact to the total U.S. economy of over $8.33 billion. In other words, for every $1 of Mexican tomatoes imported, the U.S. receives $2.67 of domestic economic benefit.
TIPA says maintaining this agreement is essential to safeguarding American consumers, supporting fair trade practices, and protecting tens of thousands of U.S. jobs.
TIPA strongly urges policymakers, industry stakeholders, and the public to advocate for preserving and modernizing the Tomato Suspension Agreement. Termination would mean a shortage of fresh tomatoes at the supermarket, price hikes at the grocery store, and widespread job losses across multiple sectors.
It says maintaining this agreement is essential to safeguarding American consumers, supporting fair trade practices, and protecting tens of thousands of U.S. jobs.
For more information:
Jed Murray
Texas International Produce Association
Tel: +1 (956) 581-8632
[email protected]
www.texipa.org