(Tucson, AZ,) – The hottest ticket in the Desert returns in 2024, the Southwest International Produce Expo (SWIPE), brought to you by the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas (FPAA). In its second year, the event is only getting bigger in terms of booths, retail engagement, and grower/shipper participation. This expo moves over to the [...]
-Tomato Segment Stakeholders Respond to Florida’s Fantastical Appeal for Protectionist Policies (Nogales, AZ) - During a recent winter tomato season characterized by poor weather, very limited shipments, and record pricing of $40-plus per carton, Florida’s tomato sector nonetheless continued to claim that “U.S. growers’ prices are being suppressed.” In a submission to the U.S. Department [...]
(Tubac, AZ) - The Fresh Produce Association of the Americas has just concluded a successful Spring Policy Summit. This gathering brought together over 100 key players to delve into the complexities of US, Mexico, and Canada trade and agricultural practices. In a period marked by political transitions, the upcoming renegotiation of the USMCA, and the [...]
The FPAA submitted rebuttal comments to the Department of Commerce after the Florida Tomato Exchange (FTE) posted comments to Commerce claiming harmfully low prices during the current tomato season, especially for Roma tomatoes. The FPAA pointed out the absurdity of FTE claims given the record high pricing for tomatoes this season and given the fact [...]
Mark C. Johnson, Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City, visited Nogales and met with representatives of the main industries in the region, including the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas (FPAA). In a breakfast meeting organized by the U.S. Consul General in Nogales, Sonora, Michelle Ward, Johnson listened to the [...]
In Latest Effort, Arizona Senate Issues Proclamation for Maintaining Tomato Suspension Agreement (Nogales, AZ) – The Arizona State Senate is the latest in a strong line of defenders fighting to protect Arizona businesses and American consumers of fresh tomatoes. On February 15, 2024, Senate President Pro Tempore Thomas “T.J.” Shope read a proclamation on the [...]
Join Andrew I. Rudman, Director of the Mexico Institute at the Wilson Center to Kick Off Premier Policy Event (Tubac, AZ) - The Fresh Produce Association of the Americas (FPAA) is finalizing an exciting agenda for the 2024 Spring Policy Summit, a vital forum for government officials and professionals in the produce industry to talk [...]
As a reminder, the U.S. Department of Agriculture published final rules on the Strengthening Organic Enforcement Act on January 19, 2023. The compliance deadline for the rule is March 19, 2024. This rule could mean that importers and others in the supply chain need to be organically certified that were not required to be certified before March [...]
Congressman Ciscomani and Congressman Stanton, both of AZ, have introduced bipartisan legislation that would address some of the delays and challenges with hiring for Customs and Border Protection officers. The FPAA has worked closely with the Arizona delegation on ways to improve the hiring process and ways to bring more CBP staff to ports of entry. The [...]
(Nogales, AZ) - In order to expand its national reach and influence, the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas has added the services of industry veterans John Toner and Phil Gruszka as Business Development Directors. “FPAA is the home for distributors of fresh fruits and vegetables from Mexico, no matter whether a company crosses [...]