Latest news with #NatureSweet
Axios
2 days ago
- Business
- Axios
NatureSweet campaign goes viral for honoring Mexican farmworkers
NatureSweet, a San Antonio-based produce company, is spotlighting the stories of its Mexican farmworkers one tomato at a time. Why it matters: As U.S.-Mexico trade tensions escalate, the campaign puts a human face on cross-border agriculture, letting consumers see the people behind their produce. Zoom in: Since 2018, NatureSweet's "Associates Under the Label" program has featured QR codes on its tomato, cucumber and pepper packaging, which are sold nationwide. Scanning the code opens a video profile of a farmworker — complete with a name, sketch portrait and video interview. Many employees discuss the pursuit of education for themselves or their children. Featured workers are based in Mexican states like Nayarit, Colima and Jalisco. The latest: The campaign gained new attention in June amid ICE-related protests across the country and after a TikTok post by @yocelim_catalan drew more than 500,000 likes. "This is the level of brand marketing I'm trying to see, especially as we see our Hispanic communities torn apart and labeled as criminals," TikTok user @yayago2 replied to the video. What they're saying:"The program was inspired by a simple but powerful idea: Agricultural workers deserve to be seen," NatureSweet spokesperson Lori Castillo tells Axios. "The stories we share transcend borders and partisanship — they're about dignity, opportunity and hard work." NatureSweet has been certified by the Equitable Food Initiative since 2016 and became Fair Trade-certified in 2021 — meeting hundreds of standards on labor conditions, food safety and worker wellbeing.
CNBC
22-07-2025
- Business
- CNBC
Greenhouse growers take aim at Trump's 'tomato tax' on Mexican imports
When the Trump administration announced a new 17% tariff on Mexican tomatoes, Florida-based growers celebrated the win. They'd pushed for years to end a trade agreement that they said failed to keep Mexican imports from flooding the market. But greenhouse growers, importers and industry groups in Arizona and Texas are blasting the Commerce Department's withdrawal from the agreement, warning that it could raise prices and cost U.S. jobs. "There has to be a better way of doing business than just putting duties on products that the consumers want," said NatureSweet CEO Rodolfo Spielmann, who grows greenhouse tomatoes in Arizona and Mexico. Since President Donald Trump took office in January, he's waged a sweeping trade war to promote domestic industries and specific political demands. Earlier this month, he threatened to impose a 30% tariff on Mexico for allegedly failing to dismantle drug cartels. But the tomato levy is distinct. It stems from the termination of a nearly 30-year-old trade agreement specific to Mexican tomatoes. Growers like Spielmann hoped — and still hope — the agreement would be renegotiated instead. Because NatureSweet works on both sides of the border, he says it's impossible to scale back Mexican operations without also hurting domestic ones. The footprint of NatureSweet's Arizona greenhouse could hold 30 football fields, Spielmann said. The company, whose tomatoes are primarily sold in grocery stores, planned to more than double its capacity in the United States, in response to growing demand and a desire to innovate. But it has now put that expansion on hold, he said, because of the change in trade policy. He says the new tariff will support Florida growers, who mostly plant in open fields, at the expense of everyone else, including consumers, who've grown accustomed to enjoying a wide variety of tomatoes grown in greenhouses year-round. "We understand that there's a need to protect the Florida tomato production, but also we should be protecting the total U.S. tomato production," Spielmann said. Moving more operations to the U.S. would present hurdles for NatureSweet. The climate in Mexico is better for growing tomatoes, he explained. And the partial-year H-2A visa program for farmworkers doesn't account for greenhouse operations that need employees for a full year. It would "take years and a lot of money" to transfer more greenhouses to the U.S., said Tom Stenzel, executive director of the Controlled Environment Agriculture Alliance, whose members include greenhouse tomato growers with operations in the U.S., Mexico and Canada. Economists have warned that the new tomato tax could mean price increases of up to 10%, harming both consumers and restaurants that rely on tomatoes. Industry groups that represent companies that distribute Mexican tomatoes in the U.S. say their workers are now at risk. "There is such a wide selection of tomatoes, and there's so many different factors that go into bringing all those different varieties to the store shelf," said Dante Galeazzi, CEO and president of the Texas International Produce Association, which represents warehouses handling imported produce. The White House did not respond to questions but referred NBC News to a statement Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick gave last week when he announced the end of the trade agreement. "Mexico remains one of our greatest allies, but for far too long our farmers have been crushed by unfair trade practices," he said. Critics say the trade agreement's safeguards didn't prevent Mexican tomatoes from being "dumped," or being sold at unfairly low prices, in the U.S., despite being renegotiated several times in an effort to help level the playing field. "People say, 'you're protectionist,'' said Tony DiMare, president of DiMare Fresh, which has operations in Florida and California. "You're darn right I am." The U.S. needs "boundaries and guidelines and trade laws to keep these countries in check," he said. The number of family farms has dwindled in recent years, according to Robert Guenther, executive vice president of the Florida Tomato Exchange, which spearheaded the original trade case against Mexican imports. Mexican tomatoes now comprise roughly 70% of the tomatoes consumed in the U.S. "We're talking about 100 years of domestic tomato supply that we don't want to see go away and this will help," he said. The Commerce Department's decision to impose anti-dumping duties is in line with tariffs imposed on other products, he said. Political leaders and lawmakers from both sides of the aisle in Texas and Arizona aren't convinced that the tomato tax will ultimately benefit the U.S. A statement from Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, cited a Texas A&M study estimating that nearly 50,000 jobs in Arizona and Texas are tied to the import of tomatoes, jobs she said are now at risk. "Donald Trump's reckless trade war is raising prices, threatening our economic growth and killing jobs," she said. In June, four Republican lawmakers in Arizona and Texas warned against abandoning the agreement in a letter to Lutnick. "This agreement has safeguarded American jobs, stabilized markets, and driven agricultural innovation without burdensome government interference," they wrote. The Republican-dominated Legislature in Texas passed a resolution opposing the Trump administration's withdrawal from the agreement. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a staunch Trump ally, signed it last month.
NBC News
22-07-2025
- Business
- NBC News
Greenhouse growers take aim at Trump's 'tomato tax' on Mexican imports
When the Trump administration announced a new 17% tariff on Mexican tomatoes, Florida-based growers celebrated the win. They'd pushed for years to end a trade agreement that they said failed to keep Mexican imports from flooding the market. But greenhouse growers, importers and industry groups in Arizona and Texas are blasting the Commerce Department's withdrawal from the agreement, warning that it could raise prices and cost U.S. jobs. 'There has to be a better way of doing business than just putting duties on products that the consumers want,' said NatureSweet CEO Rodolfo Spielmann, who grows greenhouse tomatoes in Arizona and Mexico. Since President Donald Trump took office in January, he's waged a sweeping trade war to promote domestic industries and specific political demands. Earlier this month, he threatened to impose a 30% tariff on Mexico for allegedly failing to dismantle drug cartels. But the tomato levy is distinct. It stems from the termination of a nearly 30-year-old trade agreement specific to Mexican tomatoes. Growers like Spielmann hoped — and still hope — the agreement would be renegotiated instead. Because NatureSweet works on both sides of the border, he says it's impossible to scale back Mexican operations without also hurting domestic ones. The footprint of NatureSweet's Arizona greenhouse could hold 30 football fields, Spielmann said. The company, whose tomatoes are primarily sold in grocery stores, planned to more than double its capacity in the United States, in response to growing demand and a desire to innovate. But it has now put that expansion on hold, he said, because of the change in trade policy.
Business Wire
21-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Termination of Tomato Trade Agreement Disrupts U.S. Supply Chain, Raises Supply Availability and Food Security Concerns
SAN ANTONIO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- NatureSweet®, the leading branded tomato company in North America, is sounding the alarm on the U.S. government's decision to terminate the longstanding Tomato Suspension Agreement (TSA) —a move that threatens to upend the fresh tomato supply chain, severely reduce availability, and put food safety at risk for American consumers. 'This isn't just about trade. It's about food security, safety, and affordability for millions of Americans.' -- NatureSweet Nearly 70% of the fresh tomatoes consumed in the U.S. are imported from Mexico, especially during the winter months when domestic production is limited. The sudden imposition of duties will create serious disruptions in supply, particularly for key varieties like grape and cherry tomatoes, which are largely grown in Mexico. This decision will mean fewer options, less availability, and higher prices in the produce aisle for both consumers and retailers. 'As a vertically integrated greenhouse grower, NatureSweet manages every step of the process—from growing and harvesting to packaging and distribution—which gives us the ability to absorb some of the cost shocks and all of the additional administrative burden,' says Rodolfo Spielmann, President and CEO of NatureSweet. 'But we operate in a thin-margin industry in which our model is unique, and most growers and distributors are separate. Many smaller growers might not have this flexibility, and this new burden will push some to the brink.' The ripple effects of these pressures are more than just economics. Food safety and product quality are also at risk as reduced supply may force less-resourced growers to cut corners or leave the market entirely. Increased reliance on open-field operations, which are harder to monitor and more vulnerable to contamination could further elevate food safety risks. For nearly 30 years, the TSA has provided a framework that protects Florida growers while supporting a diverse and resilient tomato market across North America. NatureSweet urges all stakeholders to return to the table and negotiate a new agreement that preserves consumer access to safe, high-quality, and affordable tomatoes. 'Our tomatoes are grown year-round in greenhouses and ripened naturally on the vine—unlike many field-grown Florida tomatoes, which are picked green and artificially ripened with gas,' said Skip Hulett, Chief Legal Officer of NatureSweet. 'That's why we're the #1 branded tomato in the U.S. Consumers trust us for consistent flavor, quality, safety, and integrity —and we're committed to maintaining those standards.' NatureSweet will continue to do everything possible to minimize price impacts and safeguard quality, but the company is calling for a collaborative, long-term solution that benefits growers, retailers, and consumers alike. Hulett adds 'Let's not turn a trade dispute into a food crisis. Let's fix this—before the damage becomes permanent.' About NatureSweet® (NS Brands, Ltd.) NatureSweet® is the leading brand in snacking tomatoes and a trusted provider for greenhouse-grown vegetables. As the largest vertically integrated controlled environment agriculture company and greenhouse grower in North America, it operates on more than 1,500 acres of greenhouse space, growing premium tomatoes, cucumbers, and sweet peppers. The company's team of nearly 10,000 associates ensures every product is handpicked at peak freshness, delivering exceptional quality and flavor to supermarkets across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. Its mission is to transform the lives of agricultural workers in North America through a profitable business model that encourages other companies to replicate it. With a commitment to sustainability and social responsibility, NatureSweet has earned B Corp, Fair Trade, and Equitable Food Initiative (EFI) certifications.
Daily Mail
10-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Cost of everyday grocery staple to soar as decades-old deal expires
A can of spaghetti sauce or a mixed salad could be next in line for a huge price bump. A decades-old trade pact that kept imported tomatoes cheap is about to expire — threatening to significantly raise prices on the staple ingredient. Starting July 14, fresh tomatoes brought into the US from Mexico will face a new 17 percent tariff, after the Commerce Department announced plans to let the Tomato Suspension Agreement lapse . The move ends a 29-year truce between the two nations that once promised to protect American farmers while keeping grocery prices in check. He expects a price jump of around 10 percent across his tomato lineup, which is sold at retailers like Walmart, Kroger, Whole Foods, and Albertsons. NatureSweet's most iconic product — its Cherub grape tomatoes packaged in a bulbous plastic container with highlighter yellow stickers — has become a grocery aisle staple. But like most tomatoes in US supermarkets, it's grown south of the border. Mexico accounts for about 90 percent of America's tomato imports, and nearly three-quarters of all fresh tomatoes sold in the US are imported. The original agreement was struck in 1996 after the US accused Mexican producers of product 'dumping,' or, selling a surplus of tomatoes at an artificially low price. The pact intended to empower American farmers. The deal included price floors and random inspections. US officials have renegotiated the pact several times, including in 2019 during the first Trump administration. 'It hasn't worked,' Robert Guenther, the executive vice president of the Florida Tomato Exchange, told Bloomberg. 'You've seen is a consistent reduction in the market share of US tomatoes.' Republican lawmakers from Florida, a major tomato-producing state, welcomed the end of the agreement in an open letter. 'The termination of the suspension agreement will allow US tomato growers to compete fairly in the marketplace,' a letter from state Senators, Rick Scott and Ashley Moody, said.
