U.S. passes agreement destined to strengthen North American economy

Nogales, AZ– The Fresh Produce Association of the Americas (FPAA) applauds the Senate for voting to send the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement to President Trump for final approval.

“This agreement is a positive for consumers who will continue to enjoy year-round access to healthful fruits and vegetables,” said FPAA President Lance Jungmeyer. “Once put in place, the USMCA will continue to strengthen U.S. businesses and trade in North America.”

Members of the FPAA are U.S. companies that rely on stable, reliable trade relationships in North America to provide jobs for U.S. employees and to provide high quality fresh produce to consumers throughout the year.  The FPAA has been working with a broad coalition of companies and industry groups to actively meet with Members of Congress urging them to formally pass the USMCA implementing language.

The FPAA is grateful for the efforts of Members of Congress from Arizona, California, and Texas to stand up for U.S. consumers and businesses who would be negatively impacted if insert a so-called “seasonal produce provision” were inserted in the USMCA. This short-sighted measure would also have led to reduced availability of fruits and vegetables during certain seasons, increasing the prices that consumers must pay. A bipartisan, bicameral delegation of 23 Members across the border signed onto a June 14, 2019 letter to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer insisting that USMCA not include changes to U.S. trade law including seasonality.

The FPAA will continue to work with Congress to implement the new USMCA and to ensure that a seasonal produce provision or other measures are not adopted into U.S. law.  With such a strong, important USMCA, it would not make sense to implement policies that would reduce consumer access to fresh fruits and vegetables, and increase the prices they pay, while harming U.S. businesses and undermining the strong trading relationships across North America.

“Consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables has risen precisely because we have a beneficial relationship with Mexico, which has bountiful sunshine and microclimates for growing a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, from avocados to zucchini,” Jungmeyer said. “The USMCA is a win for U.S. consumers and U.S. businesses.”

Who We Are

Founded in 1944, the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas (FPAA) is a nonprofit trade association headquartered in Nogales, Arizona, that represents over 120 U.S. member companies involved in importing and marketing fresh fruits and vegetables grown in Mexico and distributed across North America and the world.