U.S. tomato growers support latest proposal for a new suspension agreement

PRESS RELEASE The Florida Tomato Exchange appreciates the efforts by the U.S. Department of Commerce to construct a new Tomato Suspension Agreement that would protect domestic farmers from dumped Mexican tomatoes.

The Department’s July 17 proposal is a good starting point to resume negotiations with the Mexican industry. The proposal moves negotiations forward on a constructive basis by recognizing the need for a more enforceable agreement. A robust and enforceable structure is the only way the domestic industry will be able to support a new suspension agreement.

About the Florida Tomato Exchange: The member companies of the Florida Tomato Exchange (FTE) produce over 90% of the tomatoes grown in Florida and are among the largest producers of tomatoes in California, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, New Jersey, and Puerto Rico. Our member companies produce approximately 50% of the fresh-market tomatoes grown in the U.S. The FTE is the domestic petitioner in the antidumping case against fresh tomatoes from Mexico.

Media Contact:
Michael Schadler
Executive Vice President
Florida Tomato Exchange
michael@floridatomatoes.org