Supplying U.S. Markets with Fresh Winter Produce: Capabilities of U.S. and Mexican Production Areas

Excerpts from the report Summary: Research on the international aspects of production and marketing of winter fruits and vegetables shows that Mexico--with an increase of imports from $18,907,000 in 1956 to $99,596,000 in 1967--has become an important source of fruits and vegetables for the United States. Traditionally, winter produce for the U.S. market came primarily from Florida, California, and Texas. Mexico, in recent years, has moved ahead of California and Texas as a major supplier of vegetables, and has the potential of becoming the dominant supplier. Supplies of winter produce began to come to the United States from Mexico and the Caribbean area in the early 1900's. Prior to the 1950's, domestic producers apparently did not look upon these supplies as a threat. However, by the end of the 1950's, producers began to feel alarm over Mexico's growing share of the U.S. vegetable market. The loss of Cuba as a production base, termination of the special provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act admitting foreign seasonal agricultural workers (bracero program), and development of transportation and irrigation facilities in western Mexico contributed to Mexico's growth as a supplier of winter produce. California and Texas had climate disadvantages which quickly forced them into minor positions as winter supply areas for certain types of produce after Mexico began to expand its output. The Florida vegetable industry began to feel pressure from Mexican imports around the mid-sixties.