Apple Tariffs Pt 1

Apple Tariffs Pt 1

Bob Larson
Bob Larson
With today's Fruit Grower Report, I'm Bob Larson.

Washington apple growers got the bad news Monday that Mexico was retaliating against President Trump's tariff on imported steel and aluminum with a tariff of their own ...

FRYHOVER ... "We were advised that Mexico was going to implement a 20% tariff on U.S. apples and that, in fact, did happen. So, the industry is, luckily, 80% sold so we have 20% remaining. So, at least it's not effective over the entire crop, but we certainly have the balance of the crop yet to sell and Mexico plays a very strategic roll being a year-round market."

Washington Apple Commission president Todd Fryhover says the feeling so far among growers, for what it's worth, is positive ...

FRYHOVER ... "Optimistically, we look forward to a quick resolution, but realistically I think we need to make plans to ship fruit to other destinations or find a way to increase prices into Mexico."

Fryhover says the financial impact won't be certain for a while ...

FRYHOVER ... "There really isn't any dollar figures available yet. I mean, obviously we've only been shipping for a couple of days and arrivals probably haven't even hit the border as we speak today, but Mexico, as we stated before, is a very important market, our number one export market. So, there will be financial impact for sure."

Fryhover says as their largest export market, Mexico means more the $215-million dollars to apple producers.

Washington is the nation's third-largest exporter of agricultural products. Making our state an easy target as trading partners look to retaliate against President Trump's tariffs.

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