Sunday, October 5, 2025

Sales of imported US apples down as 20% tariff kicks in

Mexico’s 20% tariff on apples imported from the United States has translated into a significant decline in sales as consumers turn to cheaper alternatives.

Imported apple sales have dropped by 70% to 80%, said Elías Chavez López, commercial director of the apple distribution firm Grupo MLA, which is also one of the apple suppliers to the Central de Abasto, the main wholesale market for produce and other food products in Mexico City.

The price for a crate of apples has risen between 100 and 120 pesos (US $5 and $6).

But domestic apples have gone up in price too, “as much or even more than United States apples,” Chávez said.

So many people have stopped buying the fruit. Instead they are opting for melons, guavas or other domestic fruit that costs less.

Apple distributors are doubly affected because they have been paying for the difference in prices caused by a devalued peso.

The United States is by far the largest supplier of apples in Mexico. More than 276,000 tonnes were imported last year. Chile was next with a mere 3,812 tonnes.

Chávez says that while Chile could substitute the United States apple imports, it has to comply with several phytosanitary regulations that elevate its price.

That, coupled with shipping costs, raises the price almost to the same level as the U.S. product.

Source: Milenio (sp)

Have something to say? Paid Subscribers get all access to make & read comments.
Women in a graveyard filled with orange marigolds

Mexico’s week in review: Security challenges and cooperation as Sheinbaum wraps up one year in office

0
Other headlines included Mexicans in trouble abroad, a new migrant caravan and the expansion of seed banks to preserve traditional corn varieties.
News quiz

The MND News Quiz of the Week: October 4th

0
Satellites, spaceports and stereotypes: Have you been paying attention to the news this week?

Puerto Vallarta will get a new ‘first world’ electric transport system, with air conditoning and WiFi

4
The new electric buses will offering passengers a new route from Puerto Vallarta's city center to its Ixtapa district.
BETA Version - Powered by Perplexity