Posts By: Tracey Chow

U.S. Celery Export Violations Found in Japan

Western Growers has been informed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that some recent shipments of U.S. celery to Japan have exceeded the country’s maximum residue level (MRL) tolerances on multiple separate incidents related to acephate and methamidophos. Per current policy of Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW), the violations have triggered a ...

Analysis on What Trade Issues Mean for WG Members

As we head towards the end of the summer season, the world of international trade continues to be a volatile one. Western Growers is actively working on several fronts to ensure our members’ existing or prospective markets remain open to their products. Here are some updates for your awareness: CHINA What to Know: Progress towards ...

China Announces New Tariff Increases, Trump Orders Businesses to Pursue Other Markets

Today, the Chinese government announced plans to increase tariffs by 5 to 10 percent on a $75 billion worth of U.S. exports – including virtually every type of agricultural commodity – on September 1, 2019. This increase will be added on top of the 15 percent increase (imposed spring 2018) and 25 percent increase (imposed ...

U.S. and Mexico Reach New Tomato Suspension Agreement

On Wednesday August 21, the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) announced that it had reached a new suspension agreement with the Mexican tomato industry. Last November, the Florida Tomato Exchange petitioned DOC to terminate the 2013 Suspension Agreement on Fresh Tomatoes, which imposes specific pricing and other conditions on Mexican imports, in exchange for halting ...