A new industry group formed to protect tariff-free agricultural trade and consumer access to affordable fresh produce has announced its official launch.
The Produce Coalition for USMCA represents growers, packers, shippers, distributors and sellers of fresh produce across the United States. The group said it will advocate for maintaining the market access provisions established under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement as the treaty’s required six-year joint review continues among signatory nations.
In a statement, the coalition said the integrated North American supply chain enabled by USMCA is essential for delivering a year-round supply of perishable fruits and vegetables to households in all 50 states. The group added that the agreement’s structure also supports science-based decision making and provides mechanisms to resolve trade disputes before they escalate into trade barriers.
Tariff reductions under NAFTA and USMCA have lowered food prices enough to save the average household roughly $700 per year on groceries, according to a Purdue University study cited by the coalition.
“Our organization represents a broad alliance of produce companies that grow, pack, ship, distribute and sell fresh produce in the United States,” the coalition said in its launch statement. “The Produce Coalition for USMCA is committed to highlighting the critical role of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement in maintaining food security and affordable grocery prices for consumers.”
Founding steering committee members include Driscoll’s, JV Smith Companies, Mastronardi Produce USA, Mission Produce, Nature Fresh Farms, NatureSweet, Red Sun Farms and Taylor Farms.
[RELATED: Purdue Study: USMCA Helps Keep Food Prices Lower For American Families]