Trade
The U.S. fruit and vegetable industry and American consumers are highly dependent upon international trade, both exports from the U.S. and imports into the country. However, specific patterns of trade vary greatly among different commodities. For example, exports are a major part of U.S. apple production, while the vast majority of avocados consumed in the U.S. come from Mexico, Chile and Peru. In addition, consumers demand 24-7 availability of produce commodities regardless of geographical growing season.
With this diversity, our industry has always supported free and fair trade globally, seeking to open markets to U.S. products while committing to reciprocal access for products to the United States.
Recent trade actions by the administration have further complicated the uncertainty of foreign markets for U. S. agriculture. Between China and the U.S. levying retaliatory tariffs that specifically impact on the produce industry, trade issues have never been more relevant. The actions taken by each country have triggered a flurry of tariff announcements and have poisoned the well with regards to future free trade agreements.
2021 Action Plan
- Work with the Biden Administration to support existing trade agreements and future agreements that provide new market opportunities.
- We support renewal of Trade Promotion Authority when it expires in July 2021.
United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Details
On January 29, 2020, President Trump signed USMCA, finalizing the agreement after months of negotiations and compromise. USMCA is a milestone agreement, modernizing and building upon NAFTA, and showing a commitment to free and fair trade. Read Tom Stenzel’s comments on the agreement here.
United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Details
Take Action On This Issue!Grassroots Action Network
Make your voice heard! Go to United Fresh’s grassroots website for easy, quick steps you can take to tell Congress to act on trade issues now!
Trade by the Numbers
- Fresh fruit exports from the United States totaled more than $3 billion between Oct. 2018 – June 2019
- Fresh vegetable exports from the United States totaled more than $2.12 billion between Oct. 2018 – June 2019
- The fastest growing markets for U. S. produce include North America, China, Japan, the European Union, Hong Kong, South Korea, Indonesia, the Philippines and Taiwan
- Imports of fresh fruits and vegetables have increased by over $225 million
- The increase in fruit and vegetable imports has had a net positive impact on U. S. job creation over the last 30 years and have benefitted consumer needs
- 14 million jobs rely on trade with Canada and Mexico, two of the most important markets for fresh fruits and vegetables
Key Messaging Points
- Find solutions that can enhance the competitiveness of U.S. growers without having unintended consequences that impact the flow of trade in North America
- Pursue other trade agreements that can benefit the fresh produce industry and establish long-term certainty for businesses in our industry
United Fresh Trade Activities
- January 29, 2020 | USMCA Brings Clear Roadmap for the Future
- January 16, 2020 | United Fresh Statement on Senate Voting to Pass USMCA
- December 19, 2019 United Fresh Statement on House Voting to Pass USMCA
- December 10, 2019 | United Fresh Praises USMCA Agreement
- May 6, 2019 | United Fresh Signs Industry Letter to Ratify USMCA
- June 12, 2017 | Comments on Modernization of the North American Free Trade Agreement
- May 19, 2017 | United Fresh Letter to Secretary Perdue on MRL Database
- February 22, 2017 | Letter to President Trump on USDA Trade Under Secretary Position
- January 23, 2017 | US Agriculture Letter to President Trump on Trade
- January 5, 2017 | Import Certification Letter to USDA
Additional Resources
- Foreign Commercial Service: Zika Chinese Fumigation Requirement Q & A
- Foreign Agricultural Service Update on China’s Requirements for Shipments From Zika-Infected Countries
- Fruits and Vegetables Import Requirements (FAVIR)
- House Committee on Ways and Means
- Presidential Memorandum Regarding Withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership
- Senate Finance Committee
- United Fresh presentation on fruit and vegetable exports and imports
- Updated China’s Zika Disinsection Requirement for U.S. Exports: Regionalization Implemented
- USDA APHIS PPQ Treatment Manual
- U.S. Trade Representative Office of Agricultural Affairs
- Killing NAFTA Would Ruin American Farmers
Trade Mitigation
American farmers have been targeted and have suffered the most as a result of unjustified foreign retaliatory tariffs. In particular, fruits and vegetables have been severely impacted. Not only have markets been disrupted (forcing prices to be raised), but it has been increasingly difficult for U.S. grown products to reach foreign markets due to difficult entry processes. In September, USDA announced a trade mitigation plan that would help growers and commodities from across the country who are suffering from the current trade climate.
As part of their mitigation plan, there are three buckets of funding for programs: the Market Facilitation Program, the Agriculture Trade Promotion Program, and the Food Purchase and Distribution Program.
Watch Secretary Perdue’s overview of the different programs here.
- Market Facilitation Program ($4.6 billion) – To be administered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), MFP will provide up to $4.6 billion in payments to corn, cotton, dairy, soybean, sorghum, hog and wheat producers. This program began in September 2018.
- Applications can be found here.
- Read USDA’s latest press release to see the most recent updates to the MFP.
- Click here to find out if you are eligible, to see the included commodities, and for more resources.
- Agriculture Trade Promotion Program ($200 million) – this will help commodities looking for NEW markets. FAS will accept applications on a rolling basis until November 2, 2018. More details can be found here.
- Food Purchase and Distribution Program ($1.2 billion) – on October 1, 2018 AMS started to purchase products over four quarters in the new Federal fiscal year for USDA AMS to purchase commodities that have been impacted by trade war. This will be on top of current Section 32 purchases. Approximately $300 million is available for fresh produce purchase.
- To find out how to become a vendor, click here.
- View current solicitations or purchase announcements.
Press Releases
USDA has released a number of press releases regarding the trade mitigation programs. To view the press releases, please select the date below.
Additional Resources
- Podcast – Secretary Perdue on China and Trade Mitigation Payments
- Podcast – 2018 Trade Mitigation Programs
- Podcast – Rod Bain and Secretary Perdue on Second Round of Trade Mitigation Payments
- AMS Q&A – Apple and Pear Purchases
State Profiles of Produce Across America
To learn more about trade please contact Robert Guenther, Senior Vice President, Public Policy. .