Put American Farmers First
Support California Avocado growers by helping protect America’s domestic food supply, strengthen fair competition and keep California family farms viable for future generations.
As the United States reviews its trade relationship with Mexico under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, the California Avocado Commission is calling on Washington to put American farmers first.
California Avocado growers are asking for a seasonal tariff-rate quota on Mexican avocado imports during California’s primary harvest season, March through September. Under this approach, trade would continue, but imports above a set level during California’s peak season would face a higher tariff. This would help create a more orderly U.S. avocado market when California fruit is being harvested and sold. California growers are not asking to stop trade or for a handout. They are asking for a fair chance to compete in their own market.
Hear from California Avocado growers, chef and restaurant owner Andrew Gruel, The Conservateur founder Jayme Franklin and Rep. Vince Fong on why Washington should act now to protect American avocado farms.
The need for action is urgent. California Avocado farms are facing rising costs, falling returns, market-disrupting oversupply from year-round imports and growing concerns about cartel involvement in Mexico’s avocado industry. Cartel threats and violence have also raised serious questions about the safety and reliability of inspection systems meant to protect American agriculture from invasive pests.
A seasonal tariff-rate quota would help protect domestic food production, support American farm families and ensure consumers can continue to find high-quality California Avocados grown closer to home.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS.
What is the USMCA?
The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) entered into force on July 1, 2020. The USMCA, which substituted the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), creates more balanced, reciprocal trade supporting high-paying jobs for Americans and helps to grow the North American economy. Learn more here.
What is a tariff-rate quota (TRQ)?
A tariff-rate quota (TRQ) is a tariff system that combines import quotas and tariffs to regulate imported products and protect domestic production. TRQs are used throughout the world, often to protect domestic agriculture industries while still enabling robust trade systems.
What is the goal of this CAC initiative?
CAC’s goal is to ensure that American avocado growers have a fair opportunity to compete and remain economically viable for generations to come. The California Avocado industry is facing unprecedented pressure from rapidly increasing imports that are entering the U.S. market year-round, often at prices below what domestic growers can sustainably compete against.
We’re requesting:
- A seasonal TRQ for avocado imports during California’s harvest season to prevent market-disrupting oversupply and provide growers a fair chance to compete. As part of the USMCA review, the California avocado industry is requesting the creation of a seasonal Tariff-Rate Quota (TRQ) on Mexican avocados during California’s peak production season, from March through September.
- Permanent, enforceable phytosanitary inspection requirements that restore strong Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) oversight, and maintain rigorous safeguards for U.S. agriculture. APHIS oversight is vital for helping protect U.S. agriculture from invasive pests and diseases.
- A broader recognition of food security and domestic agricultural sustainability as strategic priorities. The United States should maintain the ability to produce its own food, and trade policy should not inadvertently accelerate the loss of domestic farming capacity. The reality is that many California avocado growers are struggling with rising costs and declining returns. We are not asking for special treatment or a handout; we are simply asking for the opportunity to compete on a fair and sustainable basis in our own market.
Is there anything that consumers can do?
Keep buying California Avocados! The California Avocado season is spring through summer, and you can find stores and restaurants where California Avocados are available near you here: https://californiaavocado.com/store-locator/.