By Arlenys Tabare
According to data published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), In the last 12 months, prices of much food in the United States have increased by up to 2% in March and among the list are tomatoes, which recorded the highest cost in eight years.
According to the BLS, fruits and vegetables increased 4%; In this sense, in the last year the price of tomatoes rose by 23%, currently costing $2.26 per pound, this is due to a key component: the adjustment of tariff rates.
Since the imposition of new higher tariff rates on imports from major trading partners such as Mexico, Canada and China, the costs of many foods, goods and items have skyrocketed.
In this case, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), A large part of the tomatoes consumed in the country come from imports from Mexico, which now has 17% in taxes, and that in some seasons, such as winter and spring, demand can skyrocket even more, increasing its price.
Another key component that could influence the higher price of tomatoes in the coming months is the increase in fuel costs caused mainly by the conflict in the Middle East. The trucks that transport food use diesel; Higher additional costs will inevitably be reflected in consumers’ bills.
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