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U.S.-Mexican Berry Trade Linda Calvin USDA-Economic Research Service Immigration Reform: Implications for Farmers, Farm Workers, and Communities Washington, DC—May 21-22, 2009
U.S.-Mexican Berry Trade
Linda Calvin
USDA-Economic Research Service
Immigration Reform: Implications for
Farmers, Farm Workers, and Communities
Washington, DC—May 21-22, 2009
Potential explanations for trade flows
• Cost of delivered production
– Cost of labor
– Cost of transportation
• Weather
• Food safety problems
• Technology/varieties
• Phytosanitary issues
• Tariffs
U.S. fresh berry production and imports,
1990-92 and 2006-2008 averages
Production
Imports
1,000 lbs
Strawberries Raspberries Blueberries Blackberries
Source: ERS Fruit and Tree Nut Situation and Outlook Yearbook, U.S. Department of Commerce.
U.S. fresh berry statistics
StrawB RaspB BlueB BlackB
Percent change (1990-92 to 2006-08)
U.S. production 111 180 233 189
Per-capita consumption 81 191 303 NA
Imports 419 1,048 337 11,206
Percent (2006-2008)
Import share of cons. 8 25 44 NA
MX share of imports 99 73 0 95
Fresh strawberry production and
imports Million lbs
Production
Imports
Source: ERS Fruit and Tree Nut Situation and Outlook Yearbook.
Fresh strawberry shipments, 2008
100,000 lbs
Source: USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service, Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Shipments.
U.S.-Mexico trade in fresh strawberries Metric tons
U.S. imports from Mexico
U.S. exports to Mexico
Source: U.S. Department of Commerce.
Frozen strawberry industry statistics,
1990-92 to 2006-2008
• U.S. production up 28%
• Imports up 168%
• Import share of domestic production—46%
in 2006-08
• Mexico accounted for 69 percent of imports
in 2006-08.
Fresh raspberry production and
imports Million lbs
Source: ERS Fruit and Tree Nut Situation and Outlook Yearbook.
Production
Imports
?
Fresh raspberry imports Mt tons
Mexico
Chile
Guatemala
Source: U.S. Department of Commerce.
Fresh raspberry shipments by month,
2008 100,000 lbs
Source: USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service, Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Shipments.
Fresh blackberry production and
imports 1,000 lbs
Production
Imports
Source: ERS Fruit and Tree Nut Situation and Outlook Yearbook.
Fresh blackberry shipments, 2008
Source: USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service, Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Shipments.
Frozen blackberry imports
Kilos
Source: U.S. Department of Commerce.
U.S. fresh blueberry production and
imports
Production
Imports
Million lbs
Source: ERS Fruit and Tree Nut Situation and Outlook Yearbook.
Fresh blueberry imports Kilos
Source: U.S. Department of Commerce.
Fresh blueberry shipments, 2008 100,000 lbs
Source: USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service, Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Shipments.
Conclusions
• The U.S. imports fresh berries because we can not
produce them or do not produce enough during the
winter months, not because of cheaper labor costs.
• Total costs of production in Mexico are similar to
costs of production in the United States.
• The major change in fresh trade patterns is the
emergence of Mexico as a replacement for Chile
which has high transportation costs.
More conclusions
• Technology—developing new varieties and adopting cultural practices to new production areas has been important in trade patterns.
• Food safety has had important impacts on fresh berry trade.
• Phytosanitary and tariff issues do not seem important in explaining U.S. berry imports.
www.ers.usda.gov
