A broad alliance of United States produce companies has officially launched the Produce Coalition for USMCA to advocate for continued tariff-free trade of agricultural products under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement.
The newly formed group represents a coalition of businesses engaged in growing, packing, shipping, distributing, and selling fresh fruits and vegetables in the US. The coalition's primary objective is to highlight the role of the tripartite trade agreement in maintaining food security, preserving integrated supply chains, and keeping grocery prices affordable for consumers.
The formal launch occurs as the US, Mexico, and Canada participate in their mandatory six-year joint review of the trade agreement, which offers a structured window for evaluating regional agricultural policies and trade provisions.
Advocacy during the USMCA Joint Review
The coalition's immediate focus centres on engaging with policymakers and industry stakeholders during the ongoing USMCA joint review process. By presenting unified industry data, the group aims to demonstrate how cross-border trade supports domestic agricultural jobs and retail operations.
According to statements from the coalition, the integrated North American supply chain is critical to delivering a reliable, year-round supply of highly perishable goods. Because fresh produce cannot be stored long-term, the seamless flow of goods across borders ensures that retail shelves remain stocked in all 50 states, regardless of seasonal domestic growing limitations.
The group intends to advocate against any regulatory shifts or tariffs that could disrupt this flow, pointing out that regional trade stability is necessary to safeguard the broader US food supply.
Economic Value of North American Trade Integration
To support its advocacy platform, the coalition has highlighted economic data illustrating the financial benefits of tariff-free regional trade.
The primary metrics demonstrating the impact of NAFTA and the subsequent USMCA include:
📊 Household Savings: Research from Purdue University indicates that tariff reductions achieved under the regional trade agreements have lowered food prices enough to save the average US household approximately $700 annually on groceries.
🍎 Year-Round Availability: Tariffs or trade barriers on imports would immediately affect the availability and price of off-season fruits and vegetables, impacting consumer purchasing power.
🚜 Job Security: The integrated supply model supports employment across multiple sectors, including transport, logistics, packaging, and retail distribution.
The coalition argues that preserving these economic advantages is critical at a time when grocery retailers and consumers continue to face operational cost pressures.
Enhancing Food Security and Resolving Trade Disputes
Beyond direct economic savings, the Produce Coalition for USMCA emphasised that the structured framework of the agreement remains vital for establishing science-based regulatory standards.
The group supports the treaty's built-in mechanism for addressing trade disputes, which allows agricultural partners to resolve technical and phytosanitary disagreements before they escalate into trade barriers.
By prioritising bilateral cooperation and science-led policy decisions, the agreement helps prevent supply disruptions, contributing directly to regional food security and agricultural resilience.
The Produce Coalition for USMCA will continue its outreach activities throughout the joint review period, providing data and industry perspectives to federal representatives, retail partners, and trade officials across the three signatory nations.
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