South Florida and the area of Culiacan, Mexico, are the sources of virtually all fresh vegetables during the period of the year from November to April.

The fresh winter vegetable market, under normal conditions, is highly susceptible to the forces of supply and demand, with the price fluctuations occurring daily. Additionally, the perishable nature of the products dictates the time frame for harvesting, shipping and selling.

In addition to having low labor costs, Mexican growers enjoy significant advantages over Florida producers in other aspects of vegetable production. Mexican growers have less stringent laws and regulations governing labor, pesticide use, environmental protection, water conservation, food safety, packing and labeling than Florida growers.

For the past three decades Florida farmers have faced another market challenge. Winter vegetable imports from Mexico have at times flooded the United States markets at prices below fair market price in Mexico. This unlawful “dumping” of produce forces those Florida farmers who can remain in business to allow their vegetables to rot in the fields rather than harvest and sell at a loss. This situation affects the suppliers who pack and ship the produce, too, as their equipment and workers are idled. If this situation is not rectified by the administration and Congress in Washington, D.C., the Florida winter vegetable industry as we know, it will not survive.