The Packer

The Florida Tomato Exchange lauds the Department of Commerce's decision to terminate the 2019 U.S.-Mexico Tomato Suspension Agreement, calling it a move that is long overdue to restore fair competition in the domestic tomato market. The suspension agreement, which has been renegotiated multiple times since it was established in 1996, aims to prevent the U.S. from imposing antidumping duties on fresh tomatoes imported from Mexico — under the condition that exporters adhere to certain pricing and trade rules. The agreement will end on July 14, 2025, following a 90-day implementation period, Commerce Department said in an April 14 announcement. loom.ly/mPg2b_k

President Trump’s on-again, off-again tariff threats as well as talk of making Canada the “51st state,” have sparked a fierce sense of nationalism among Canadian consumers, the majority of whom are eschewing fresh produce from America — in favor of locally grown and imports from anywhere other than the U.S. Canadian supermarkets seeking to meet consumer demand are building big displays of Canadian-grown produce, a theme that was evident at the four supermarkets on the Canadian Produce Marketing Association’s retail tour on April 8, just prior to its annual conference and trade show. “If we put a Canadian flag in a display, it sells out immediately,” said a produce team member at a Provigo store on the tour. loom.ly/o9lDJRo

John Stackhouse, senior vice president of the office of the CEO at Royal Bank of Canada joined Ron Lemaire, CPMA president, to discuss the current economic climate and opportunities for the fresh produce industry in Canada. Stackhouse called the current tariffs a ‘wake-up call’ for Canadian growers. loom.ly/qjL2i38

Easter’s relatively late date this year — April 20 — is welcome news for California strawberry grower-shippers. That day is only three weeks before another festive strawberry occasion: Mother’s Day. That means momentum built up by Easter promotions may well carry through to the next strawberry-eating occasion. loom.ly/NQcImNs

A misguided approach to pricing can cost you loyal customers. Columnist Armand Lobato discusses how to achieve sales goals and keep shoppers satisfied. Learn why a fast nickel is better than a slow dime, every time: loom.ly/cGYOgz0

Rebeckah Adcock, vice president of U.S. government relations with the International Fresh Produce Association, recently spoke to The Packer about the latest effects of the Trump administration’s tariffs and the potential impact of higher rates for 57 countries. loom.ly/A1DLFfM

With tariff negotiations ongoing as the produce industry prepares to convene, the current trade war remains a cause for concern, says Ron Lemaire, Canadian Produce Marketing Association president. loom.ly/AiqsEUo

Taylor Farms, a Salinas, Calif.-based ready-to-eat salad company, has acquired FarmWise, an agricultural technology robotics company specializing in precision weeding and thinning solutions, according to a news release. Last month, FarmWise announced plans to “wind down” operations by April 1 due to lack of funding. Taylor Farms, which had previously implemented FarmWise’s Vulcan technology, said it saw a reduction in its weeding costs of nearly $550,000, eliminating the need for cultivator passes on 64% of the acres covered. loom.ly/lvZKPFY

It’s been nearly 51 years since the first UPC bar code scan took place at Marsh Supermarkets in Troy, Ohio, on a 10-pack of Wrigley’s chewing gum. And while UPC bar codes are still in use, in this episode of the “Tip of the Iceberg” podcast, John Ross, CEO of IGA Supermarkets, shares the endless possibilities of 2D bar codes for the future of the fresh produce industry. loom.ly/blS9x-Q

President Donald Trump recently announced a 10% tariff on goods coming from more than 50 countries, adding that the U.S. will impose higher reciprocal tariffs for countries that have a larger trade deficit. While this will affect the fresh produce industry, imported produce that falls under the U.S.-Canada-Mexico Agreement would continue tariff-free, including fresh fruits and vegetables. Texas International Produce Association President and CEO Dante Galeazzi says as long as the fresh produce is grown in Mexico or Canada, it will not be subject to these tariffs. Galeazzi shares strategies for navigating tariff turbulence: loom.ly/GsfJkAU