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Republicans warn cartel avocados are threatening US farmers

U.S. farmers are unable to compete with the prices and volume of avocados being imported from Mexico, argues Republicans. ©Image Credit: Unsplash / Caraianu Camelia

US farmers, who seem to be dealing with more than their fair share lately, are taking another huge hit following revelations from lawmakers. California Republicans are sounding the alarm on what they are calling cartel avocados that are threatening the very livelihood of US farms by flooding the market.

Calling for limits on imports

Seven California Republicans have united in a bid to urge the Trump administration to impose "reasonable and enforceable" limits on the avocados being imported into the country.

The Republicans are calling the imports "harmful surges" and blaming the cartel influence of Mexico's avocado trade. They say the surge in imports is harming U.S. avocado growers.

Letter sent to U.S. trade rep

In the letter sent to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, the seven Republicans laid out their position.

"As Republican members of California’s congressional delegation, we urge you to include a provision in your USMCA seasonal produce solution that will help curb harmful surges of Mexican avocados in the U.S. market, which are likely being driven by the Mexican cartels," the lawmakers wrote. "These increasingly frequent surges are collapsing U.S. avocado prices and placing the future of American avocado production at risk."

The Mexican cartel link

Republicans have linked the Mexican cartel to the avocado imports, stating that the cartels have "substantial influence" over the supply chain.

They claim that the avocados are being grown on "illegally obtained land" and that the military is sent to avocado-producing regions.

"These criminal organizations do not operate under the same costs or constraints as lawful American growers. Extortion, illegal land use, compromised inspections, and cartel control over transportation allow large volumes of fruit to enter the United States under conditions that do not reflect legitimate production costs or ordinary market forces," the letter states.

"American avocado growers cannot compete in a market shaped by criminal organizations that profit regardless of the price paid to legitimate producers," the lawmakers wrote.

Waiting for an official response

This is a space to watch, with the current administration yet to issue an official response. Avocados could be the next import to face steep tariffs.

Source: Fox Business

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