Potential Tariffs on Mexican Strawberries Could Raise U.S. Prices

The Trump administration has opened an investigation into whether Mexican growers are selling winter-harvested strawberries in the United States at prices deemed unfairly low. If the Commerce Department’s preliminary finding supports the complaint, higher tariffs could be imposed on those imports, ending decades of largely duty-free trade for Mexican strawberries.

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U.S. consumers rely on Mexican strawberries during the winter months when domestic harvests decline. In the most recent year, 98 % of all strawberry imports came from Mexico, valued at more than $1 billion, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The case was filed by Strawberry Growers for Fair Trade, a coalition of Florida producers that harvest during winter. The coalition argues that Mexican imports have grown faster than demand, undercutting U.S. growers. A similar antidumping duty on Mexican tomatoes, imposed last July, was followed by a 12.8 % price increase for tomatoes in the prior month, though the U.S. Department of Commerce noted that weather factors also contributed.

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• Strawberry Growers for Fair Trade – Florida-based coalition of growers.

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• Daniel Pickard – Lead counsel for the coalition, who says Mexican imports are displacing U.S. producers.

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• U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) – Provides import data.

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• U.S. Department of Commerce – Expected to issue a preliminary finding on the case.

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• 98 % of U.S. strawberry imports originated in Mexico last year, exceeding $1 billion in value.

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• Tomato prices rose 12.8 % year-over-year after a 17 % antidumping duty on Mexican tomatoes was applied.

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• Workers harvested strawberries at Fancy Farms in Lakeland, Florida, on February 13, 2026, illustrating domestic production’s seasonal limits.

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The coalition anticipates that any tariffs would have a “relatively modest” effect on consumer prices while helping U.S. growers compete. Nonetheless, higher strawberry costs could add to broader affordability concerns as voters head into the midterm elections. The Commerce Department is scheduled to release its preliminary finding by August 18, after which the final tariff rate could still be adjusted.

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