Faced with the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on Mexican tomatoes, the Mexican government is considering installing more processing plants in the country. This measure aims to supply both the international and local markets. The president of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, has stated that the minimum prices for tomato exports were proposed by producers, from small farmers to large farms, to ensure a balance in prices.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (Sader), led by Julio Berdegué, has been in dialogue with producers to determine the necessary support. The aim is to facilitate access to the bonds required for export through different support schemes. The goal is to ensure that both large and small producers maintain the ability to export, despite the 17% tariff imposed by the United States.
Sheinbaum stressed the possibility of expanding Mexico's tomato processing capacity. This includes the installation of plants for the domestic and export markets, processing tomatoes in different ways than the traditional fresh product.
Julio Berdegué said that, given the unilateral withdrawal of the United States from the suspension agreement, talks had been initiated with producers to avoid situations of unfair competition or dumping. The goal of these talks, which involved five associations that represent nearly 260 exporting companies in Mexico, is to coordinate agreed strategies.
The National Agricultural Council (CNA) stated that the establishment of minimum export prices for fresh Mexican tomatoes "is fundamental to protect national producers and exporters, preserve more than 400,000 jobs, and maintain stability in the U.S. market." This measure, which replaces the reference price system, focuses on promoting fair competition and sustainable trade.
Source: imagenagropecuaria.com
