California farmers are calling on the Trump administration to undertake a “substantive” seasonal tariff charge on Mexican avocado imports to assist save an trade that growers warn is struggling to outlive.
“If the pattern continues the way in which it’s going, I imply, we’ve been having some fairly tough conversations,” mentioned Andy Sheaffer, who owns Vista Punta Gorda farms in Ventura, California.
“It’s actually tough to function when you’ve such volatility after which when the volatility shifts to actually a adverse return.”
Sheaffer, who has been farming for the previous 20 years, mentioned costs have not too long ago plummeted for growers because of the inflow of avocados from Mexico which have flooded the US market with none actual regulation.
“We began out [last year May 2025] over $2 per pound, I believe it was $2.20 to $2.30 a pound,” Sheaffer instructed The California Submit, who’s now promoting those self same avocados for $0.75 cents to $1.10. “It simply fell off a cliff within the latter a part of the season.”
Ken Melban, president of the California Avocado Fee, instructed The Submit that 10 years in the past the state had roughly 6,000 growers, now that quantity has dropped to about 3,000.
The issue is a large number of things together with excessive labor prices and water rules that make it onerous for US growers to compete with Mexico, which presently pays zero tariffs on avocados underneath the USMCA settlement.
“We’ve elected these politicians who’ve determined to impose these rules and these labor value will increase on us as a result of they worth that as an vital part,” Sheaffer mentioned.
“However then, on the flip facet, we’re permitting these nations who don’t have that very same worth system mainly unfettered entry to our market.”
Sheaffer instructed The Submit he pays over $20 per hour for everlasting farm labor, whereas staff in Mexico he mentioned earn round $12 per day.
“Mexico, by the primary quarter of this 12 months had introduced in extra above their projection $300 million kilos,” Melban mentioned. “Which is the same as virtually our whole season manufacturing.”
With the US saying it might not lengthen its historic commerce settlement signed by President Trump throughout his first time period, the Fee sees a possibility to voice its considerations for an trade that wants protections with a view to survive.
The fee is asking federal officers to impose a seasonal Tariff Fee Quota on Mexico avocado imports between March and September, the first harvest window for California.
“The small print must be zero tariff on the primary X quantity of kilos coming in,” Melban mentioned, noting that whereas the small print nonetheless must be ironed out it might be a “substantial tariff” on something above a certain quantity of kilos.
“Minimal 25 p.c. I’d wish to see 50 p.c, as a result of if not, then it simply will get included in the price of doing enterprise throughout the board,” he mentioned.
Critics argue imposing tariffs would drive the price up for shoppers, one thing each Melban and Sheaffer have disputed — claiming whereas the value for farmers have dropped roughly 50% the purpose of sale on the grocery retailer has stayed comparatively the identical.
“The price to the buyer received’t go up exorbitantly, simply the grocery store is not going to have as excessive a margin on that exact piece of produce,” Sheaffer instructed the Submit.
US commerce consultant, Ambassador Jamieson Greer mentioned he’ll meet with Mexico beginning the week of July 20 for a 3rd spherical of bilateral negations associated to the USMCA — within the meantime, the pact stays totally in place as conversations between the three nations proceed.
For Melban, he’s optimistic that the Trump administration will make an effort to guard American farmers.
I simply had a gathering final Tuesday with senior U.S. officers which might be throughout this,” he mentioned. “I’m hopeful that we’ll have the ability to determine one thing out right here that works for everyone.”
