Apple Tariffs Pt 1
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.