New York apple growers today thanked Rep. Michael Arcuri for leading the charge along with 8 fellow New York Representatives in urging President Obama to resolve an ongoing trade dispute with Mexico which has led to a 20 percent export tariff on U.S. apples into Mexico.
"We need to make sure we have free and clear export markets for our apples, just like other apple-producing countries have access to ours," said Jim Allen, president of the New York Apple Association.
The New York Apple Association and U.S. Apple Association have been working together to drive home to members of congress the serious consequences to U.S. apple trade, because of the imposed tariffs.
"We appreciate Rep. Arcuri (D-24), along with Representatives Chris Lee (R-26), Scott Murphy (D-20), Maurice Hinchey (D-22), Bill Owens (D-23), Dan Maffei (D-25), Paul Tonko (D-21), John Hall (D-19) and Louise Slaughter (D-28), for taking immediate action on our request to do whatever possible to get this tariff lifted so we can continue to ship U.S. apples into Mexico," Allen said.
Apples are the latest produce item to be added to a "retaliation list" over an ongoing U.S. and Mexican government dispute related to cross-border trucking.
U.S. apples going into Mexico now have a 20 percent tariff or approximately $40 million which will inevitably lead to market loss.
Mexico is the largest export market for U.S. apples. Last year, Mexico imported 11.5 million bushels of fresh U.S. apples, worth $207 million, and dried apples valued at $23 million. This represents 27.5 percent of total U.S. apple export value. If the tariffs remain in place, U.S. markets will be lost to other countries, such as Chili.
New York produces on the average of 29.5 million bushels a year and there are close to 700 commercial apple growers in the state. These growers are an integral part of New York's rural communities and support nearly 10,000 direct agricultural jobs and 7, 500 handling, distribution, shipping and marketing jobs.
"By authoring and circulating a colleague letter to the New York delegation, Congressman Arcuri took the right stand for local apple growers and the future market strength of our industry," Allen said. "We thank all of the New York delegation that signed the letter that was sent to the president."
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