U.S.-Mexico border shutdown would cause Americans to run out of avocados in three weeks

[brooklynite]

Source: New York Daily News

Mexico is America’s largest foreign supplier of vegetables and fruits (excluding bananas), according to recent data from the United States Department of Agriculture. In 2016, U.S. fruit and vegetable imports from Mexico reached about 10 million metric tons, with a total value of around $12.4 billion, according to the agency.

Avocados accounted for the fruit most imported, with Mexico supplying 91% of U.S. consumption in 2016, according to the report. Watermelons and limes fell closely behind.

If imports stopped due to a shutdown, Americans would run out of avocados in three weeks, Steve Barnard, president and chief executive of Mission Produce, the largest distributor and grower of avocados in the world, told Reuters.

As for vegetables, tomatoes led the imports in volume. Cucumbers and chili peppers came second and third, respectively.

Read more: https://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/ny-us-mexico-border-shut-down-effects-fruits-vegetables-20190401-4fe5mesilraapj5av5ito7uu6i-story.html

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How long will it take Trump voters to realize that xenophobic policies actually have implications?

[Red Pest]

1. Can you say blow-back?

Does the great orange nitwit actually understand that by shutting the border and blocking imports from and exports to Mexico and Central America, lots of American workers will be laid off because their employers will be losing money? How many of the fruit and vegetable suppliers own the fields that grow the fruits and vegetables that are imported from Mexico and Central America? How many truckers will be laid off? How about all those cars made by GM and Ford in Mexico? Over $1B/day in trade with Mexico will be stopped. Economic repercussions - maybe?

This is Trump's foreign policy version of the government shut-down. It is a maga-nificently stupid threat.

[duforsure]

2. trump's using this to destroy the economy with it,

Then they can cut wages and all programs to hurt the retired, the sick ,and the poor with it. Watch how long before the prices skyrocket from it. All while he'll claim the economy is so great for everyone, but the truth is is only great for the wealthy. He's lying and trying to hurt us all with it , and to profit from it. He hates anyone getting higher wages. Maybe the wall is really to keep us in, and not others out.

[TruckFump]

3. I have a gi-normous avocado tree in my yard.

Hmmmmmmmmm...maybe I will start and avocado stand!

[Marthe48]

4. trump won't care unless the supply of Big Macs stop

n/t

[lagomorph777]

5. 4 weeks if we blockade the White House avocado supply.

[Cryptoad]

6. So like the ole saying

Turds always come to the Top,,,,,,,, Nunes big buddies are producers of those produce that Mexico ships use........ Wasicu want all the fat!

[Botany]

7. Is Trump trying to tank the American economy because that is what his boss, Putin wants?

I understand his "let's keep the brown people out" because that sells to his racist base but
he has to know about the billions of dollars in trade and the totally legal cross border human
traffic that goes on everyday.

[amcgrath]

8. Loss of avocados

Might be a bigger concern to America than the unilateral abandonment of refugees rights, but if you are looking for how the shutdown might effect the US, cars manufactured in the US rely on parts made in Mexico.
Like many businesses, the auto industry does not hold any significant inventory, parts are delivered on a schedule to match production. Close the US/ Mexico border and auto factories will grind to a halt.

[BamaRefugee]

9. WE WANT AVOCADOS MADE IN THE USA! RE-OPEN THE AVOCADO FACTORIES HERE!

[Oneironaut]

10. This is honestly like shooting yourself in the foot and hoping your enemy gets hit by the ricochet.

Why would we ever want to close the border? This is beyond bizarre. It’s going to screw us more than Mexico.

Honestly, I think Trump wants this because it looks good to his followers. That’s it. He knows it’s going to hurt us and he doesn’t care. He wants to close the border and blame the Democrats for the effects it causes.

[Auggie]

11. If the shutdown applies to all produce there will be a shortage a tomatoes, berries, lettuce, etc.

We import a lot from Mexico

[Cold War Spook]

12. Not just crops grown in Mexico.

Isn't planting season starting in US?

[htuttle]

13. It won't be if the border is closed

[YOHABLO]

14. If I'm not wrong, we get 40% of our produce from Mexico. Please don't take my avocados away.