Mexican tomato growers are bracing for major impacts, including reduced exports, job losses and declining domestic prices, following the United States' imposition of a 17.09 percent duty on most fresh tomatoes imported from Mexico on July 14.
The decision to impose the duty was announced by the U.S. Department of Commerce, marking a withdrawal from the 2019 agreement between the two countries to suspend the antidumping investigation on fresh tomatoes.
Mexico's ministries of economy and agriculture said on Monday in a joint statement that the U.S. decision was unfair, as it not only harms the interests of Mexican producers but also affects U.S. related industries and consumers.
Mexico supplies at least two-thirds of the tomatoes consumed in the United States, with annual exports worth more than 2.8 billion U.S. dollars.
In the Mexican state of Morelos, one of the country’s major tomato-producing regions, growers say they expect reduced exports to the United States due to the newly imposed duty, and they believe American consumers will also feel the impact of higher tomato prices.
"We believe that the export of Mexican tomatoes to the United States will drop by at least 15 to 20 percent as a result of the newly imposed duty. The tomatoes, which previously would head towards the U.S. market, will stay in Mexico and the U.S. consumers will pay more for imported Mexican tomatoes because they have to pay the duty," said Humberto Sandoval Zamora, a tomato grower in Morelos.
Beyond the growers, the entire industry is bracing for broader impacts, as key stages of production -- from cultivation and picking to transportation -- are poised to take a heavy hit.
"Since exporting tomatoes to the U.S. has become less profitable, we will pick less and transport less tomatoes in Mexico, and as a result less workers are needed. The newly imposed U.S. duty will lead to job cuts and many people will become unemployed," said Jose, a tomato picker.
Major Mexican tomato exporters have decided to cut shipments to the U.S. market, while tomato prices in Mexico have dropped sharply due to a drastic increase in supply.
"Over the past three days, domestic tomato prices have dropped by nearly 40 percent, and they’re still falling," said a tomato distributor in Morelos.
Mexican tomato growers brace for industry-wide impact from US tariff
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
