ATHENS, Ala. (WHNT) — From tomato sandwiches to summer salads and fried green tomatoes, tomatoes are a summer staple in Alabama. However, some farmers tell News 19 that they hope a policy change in Washington, D.C., helps build back demand for locally grown tomatoes.
Isom Orchard in Athens is best known for its apples and peaches, but right now its market is full of fresh off-the-vine tomatoes.
Kent Isom, Assistant Manager at Isom’s Orchard, said, “Tomatoes in the summertime is a very popular item.”
Isom said that while his farm doesn’t rely on tomatoes as a main crop, he sees the benefit of the new tariff on fresh imported tomatoes. “I think it’s probably a good thing that it’s happening,” he said.
Isom is referring to a new 17.09% tariff on “most imports of tomatoes from Mexico” that was imposed on July 14th. It comes as a result of the United States’ withdrawing from the 2019 Suspension Agreement on Fresh Tomatoes from Mexico.
The U.S. Department of Commerce says under the previous agreement, Mexican tomatoes were sold in the United States at unfair prices, making it hard for domestic producers to compete.
“I think terminating the agreement would probably create a more sustainable, even playing field for all farmers, especially in Alabama,” Isom said.
The Alabama Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association agrees. Executive Director, Blake Thaxton told News 19, “likely, the Mexican tomatoes will still be cheaper, that’s just the realities of the cost of production, but it gives a better chance for domestic producers to compete.”
Thaxton said the previous agreement negatively impacted the domestic tomato industry.
“When the agreement was originally put in place, about 30% of the tomatoes consumed in the U.S. were imported, and now 70% of the tomatoes are imports and only 30% are grown domestically,” Thaxton said.
He said he hopes the domestic market will start to bounce back as a result of the new tariff.
“We’re excited for this decision and hope that we can have further decisions that protect our industry”, he said.
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