JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Local produce vendors said they’re seeing the price going up for fruit and vegetable imports due to tariffs promised by the Trump administration.
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Luis Saldana has been importing for over seven years and he has fruits and vegetables from Mexico.
He said he can already tell how the prices have changed because of the tariffs.
In the press release from the White House dated March 3, the Trump administration stated in part:
“President Trump continues to demonstrate his commitment to ensuring U.S. trade policy serves the national interest. As President Trump said in the Presidential Memorandum on American First Trade Policy, trade policy is a critical component in national security. President Trump promised in November to “sign all necessary documents to charge Mexico and Canada a 25% Tariff on ALL products coming into the United States, and its ridiculous Open Borders,” the press release stated.
The release suggests that the tariffs will stay in effect until drugs and people from Mexico no longer enter the country illegally.
Saldana said he sees the impact of the 25% tariffs because wholesalers are getting less food for more money. If someone buys 10 boxes of produce now they are buying five or six instead.
“Last year, you would buy a mango for maybe a dollar. Right now it has to be $1.75 a piece because it is a good mango,” Saldana said.
We checked several major grocery stores and couldn’t find one with a mango being sold at last year’s price.
He said the same thing is happening with other types of produce including everything that comes from Mexico. He has to increase the price for the customer.
Mitch James is the assistant General Manager of Jacksonville’s Farmers Market. He said despite the tariffs, loyal customers and local vendors are helping keep prices down for some produce.
“We’ve got about five or six that come from west of Jacksonville, predominately going out towards Live Oak that bring in cabbage, greens, broccoli, peppers all the above and that’s the good thing that keeps the fuel cost down which keeps the wholesale and retail price down,” James said.
It’s bringing some hope for everyday people trying to feed their families.
And as the rest of the year goes on, people will need their produce, but they may have to pay more.
