After the Trump administration terminated the Tomato Suspension Agreement with Mexico and imposed a roughly 17.1% antidumping duty on fresh tomato imports, prices have surged 23% year-over-year. BLS data shows fresh tomatoes averaged $2.26 per pound in March 2026 — the highest in eight years.
The U.S. imports approximately 90% of its fresh tomatoes, with the vast majority from Mexico. Mexican tomato imports declined by over $500 million after the tariff was implemented in July 2025. The Fresh Produce Association of the Americas had warned of “higher prices and diminished volumes” nine months before.
For context: overall inflation was 3.3% over the same period and food prices rose 2.7%. Tomato prices outpaced both by a factor of roughly 7-8x. Weather (Florida freezes) and Iran war energy costs also contributed, but the tariff is the primary structural driver.
Imported tomatoes generate an estimated $8.3 billion in economic impact in the U.S. Texas lawmakers from both parties urged Trump to extend the agreement before it expired.