Mexico trade war’s ‘disruption in the marketplace’ felt apple growers in B.C

Mexico is slapping a 20 per cent tariff on U.S. farm goods including apples. An esscalating trade fight between the U.s and Mexico may affect B.C apple growers in the Okanagan experts say. Mexico is the biggest customer of Washington state apples, buying up to $250 million’s worth each year. But Mexico now wants to slap slap a 20 per cent tariff on U.S. farm goods including apples in response to the Trump administration’s tariffs on steel and aluminum.

“It’s a disruption in the marketplace and it’s hard to see how that will shake out,” said Glen Lucas, the general manager of the B.C. Fruit Growers Association.

The concern, he said, is that Washington growers may look to send more of their product into Canada if they are unable to sell to Mexico.

uring a previous trade war involving the U.S. apple growers in 2010-11, British Columbia did export apples to Mexico but Lucas says he doesn’t see it as a business opportunity to export more fruit — it’s more of a stop-gap measure.

“It’s not like we’re developing a new market, it’s just a reaction to some market pressure,” he said.