Dec 5, 2025Produce leader bemoans Mexican import impacts, requests seasonal safeguards
Mike Joyner, president, Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA), has expressed concerns about the impact of produce imports from Mexico under the current U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Joyner reports significant losses in sales, market share and jobs within Florida’s produce industry. He claims these losses are primarily due to unfairly priced imports from Mexico.
The public testimony was delivered as part of a hearing with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative as the six-year joint review of the USMCA approaches on July 1, 2026. This statement follows previously submitted formal comments advocating for measures to ensure fair competition for Southeastern produce growers. Joyner notes the present terms of USMCA lack necessary trade remedies for these growers.
“When USMCA was enacted by our country in 2020, it promised to improve trade fairness and economic prosperity for American interests,” Joyner said, according to an FFVA press release. “Its impact on our industry has been just the opposite.”
Referencing data from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Joyner highlights market shifts over the last 10 to 20 years. Since 2014, Mexican blueberries have increased their U.S. market share by nearly 4x, while Florida’s share has been reduced by half. The market share for Mexican bell peppers has doubled since 2004, while Florida’s has declined by 73%. Similar trends are evident across tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, and additional crops, he noted.
“Since 2020, the Mexican [produce] industry has seized substantial additional market share and further depressed prices during Florida’s marketing season, causing that much more devastation to our grower community,” Joyner said.
He detailed the role of government-subsidized development within Mexico, noting the growth of an export-oriented protected agriculture sector, predominantly supplying the U.S. market during Florida’s peak production periods.
Joyner urged the Administration to implement product-specific seasonal import limits, or tariff rate quotas, during the USMCA joint review.
“Without these measures, American consumers may soon be forced to rely entirely on foreign-sourced fresh produce during several months of the year,” Joyner said. “Compromising our country’s core nutritional needs in this manner jeopardizes America’s food security, and by extension, our national security.”
Additional details can be found in Joyner’s written testimony and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services report, Impacts of Mexico’s Ag-Exports on Florida Agriculture.
