M.S. Competition between Florida and Mexico for a share of the U.S. winter tomato market was again a hot topic of discussion this year. Florida growers filed for provisional relief from the U.S. International Trade Commission, alleging that excessive shipments of Mexican tomatoes were being dumped into the U.S. market, causing serious injury to Florida's tomato industry. May. This doesn't mean the case is closed. With the next production season just months away, the trade situation has not changed between the two countries.
Recent research shows the Florida winter tomato and Mexican export market are considered as one.
This implies factors affecting either Florida or Mexico production have a direct effect on overall U.S. price levels. Supplies are usually evenly split between the two. In this research, weekly data from December '94 to April '95 was used to analyze last season's events. Mexican import levels exceeded import quotas in both winter periods. Statistical analysis shows that a higher level of Mexican imports one week, negatively effects the next week's Florida f.o.b. price.