Exported tomatoes' lowest permitted selling prices are specified in this list, applicable only to transactions within the European Union.
The landscape of the US-Mexico tomato trade has undergone a significant shift, with the termination of the Tomato Suspension Agreement on July 14, 2025. This marks the end of nearly 30 years of cooperation on setting minimum export prices for tomatoes [1][3][5].
In its place, an antidumping duty of approximately 17.09% has been imposed on tomato imports from Mexico. This tariff aims to counter what the U.S. Department of Commerce considers unfairly low prices by Mexican growers [1][5]. The duty applies broadly across most tomato imports from Mexico, replacing the previous suspension agreement's pricing controls.
As of now, there are no announced specific minimum prices by tomato variety following the termination of the agreement. The U.S. International Trade Commission is scheduled to vote on September 30, 2025, on whether to make these antidumping duties permanent [1].
Looking back, the 2019 updated agreement had introduced year-round minimum prices instead of seasonal ones, with special pricing for organic tomatoes and mandatory USDA inspections for Mexican tomatoes before entry to the U.S. However, with the agreement ended, these structured minimum prices have been replaced by antidumping duties [1].
It is important to note that the agreement does not aim to restrict volumes or set maximum prices. It is also not designed to eliminate US tomato quotas, according to experts [2]. The aim of the agreement is to protect producers, prevent market distortions in the international market, and ensure domestic supply [6].
The new trade regime relies on tariffs (antidumping duties) rather than fixed minimum export prices for regulating Mexican tomato imports into the U.S. [1][3][5]. Prices will be reviewed annually or more frequently, depending on market conditions.
The agreement supports all associations of producers and producers of tomatoes that participate in the export market to the United States [7]. The agreement was published in the Official Gazette of the Federation (DOF) [8]. The agreement came into effect on August 8, 2025 [9].
The minimum export prices for various varieties of tomatoes under the new agreement are as follows:
- Grape Tomatoes (not in clusters): $0.95/kg
- Grape Tomatoes (uva): $1.70/kg
- Grape Tomatoes with stalk: $1.65/kg
- Grape Tomatoes in clusters: $1.70/kg
- Cherry Tomatoes: $1.70/kg
- Roma Tomato (saladette): $0.88/kg
- Cocktail, Campari, Kumato, Mini Roma, Heirloom, Pera, Medley, San Marzano, others: $1.70/kg [4]
In conclusion, the current trade regime for tomatoes between the US and Mexico operates under antidumping duties, with prices subject to annual or more frequent reviews. The future outlook is pending the U.S. ITC's decision on making these duties permanent, and no specific minimum prices by tomato variety have been announced yet.
- Despite the shift in the US-Mexico tomato trade regulatory mechanisms, both countries' cultures, including their sporting events, remain unaffected, as the agreement focuses solely on becoming antidumping duties to counteract perceived price discrepancies.
- The termination of the Tomato Suspension Agreement, and its replacement by antidumping duties, does not mean the end of sports events or cultural exchanges between the US and Mexico, as the agreement pertains solely to tomato imports and does not affect bilateral ties in other areas.
