Mexico sets minimum export prices for fresh tomatoes
Brendan O’GOY
Mexico City (Reuters) -Mexico, Mexican Economics and Agriculture Ministries in a statement on Sunday, after the US expired time to protect the local production and to provide internal supply to provide minimum export prices for fresh tomatoes.
The decision follows Washington’s withdrawal from the 2019 agreement between the two countries regulating Mexican tomato exports to the United States in July.
The Trump administration on July 14 announced a 17% task in the import of fresh tomatoes from Mexico.
Although new pricing rules apply only to final exports, they do not restrict export volumes or apply maximum prices. Mexican ministries said that if the market conditions are requested, prices will be reviewed annually or earlier.
Minimum export prices per kilogram are set to $ 1.70 for cherries and grape tomatoes, $ 0.88 for Roman tomatoes, $ 0.95 for round tomatoes and $ 1.65 for rounded tomatoes with trunk. The minimum price of other varieties, such as cocktails and heirloom tomatoes, will be $ 1.70.
According to official figures, Mexico exported 3.3 billion dollars of tomatoes last year.
“This action strengthens the government’s commitment to agricultural competitiveness, honorable rural employment and food sovereignty.” He said.
Ministries, Mexican tomato manufacturers associations, on August 8 in the official newspaper of the government immediately after the publication of the agreement, he added.
(Reporting by Brendan O’Seyle; Editing by Lucinda Elliott)
