According to the latest data from the United States Department of Agriculture, nearly half of all imported U.S. vegetables and 40 percent of imported fruit are grown in Mexico. This means President Trump's threat to shut down the U.S.-Mexico border could result in huge losses for the produce market. More specifically, because of the difference in growing seasons, America would run out of avocados in three weeks. California's crop won't be available for more than a month.
Last week the President said there was a "very good likelihood" he would close the border if Mexico did not stop immigrants from reaching the United States. Such a shutdown would impact fruit and vegetable production due to the number of workers who cross the border every day to work in related fields and processing facilities. The estimated $137 billion in food trade would also come to a halt, driving up prices for both manufacturers and consumers.
