ITC reports confirm Mexican cucumber and squash imports needed to meet the rising U.S. consumer demand

The Fresh Produce Association of the Americas has said that the recently issued reports by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) shown that Mexican cucumber and squash imports are needed to meet rising U.S. consumer demand. The reports summarized the ITC's findings from its investigations on the U.S. cucumber and squash industries and the effect that imports had on seasonal growers. The FPPA's comments come in contrast to the reaction of groups and politicians from the Southeast, including the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association, which said that the reports' findings show that duties are needed on the imports to protect domestic growers. The ITC reports do not support the U.S. Southeast growers’ "simplistic reaction to reflexively blame Mexican imports for all of their problems", said Lance Jungmeyer, President of the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas (FPAA). In fact, he says the report notes the difficulties faced by domestic Southeast growers are largely out ...