The Fresh Produce Association of the Americas along with other organizations representing the U.S. food and agriculture industries are calling on members of Congress to swiftly ratify the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

In a letter sent to Congress, more than 950 groups representing the U.S. food and agriculture value chain at the national, state and local levels called on Congress to support the ratification of USMCA. The letter reiterates that USMCA will benefit the U.S. agriculture and food industry while providing consumers a more abundant supply of high-quality, safe food at affordable prices.

Over the last 25 years, U.S. food and agricultural exports to Canada and Mexico have more than quadrupled under NAFTA — growing from $9 billion in 1993 to nearly $40 billion in 2018 and helping to support more than 900,000 U.S. jobs in food and agriculture and related sectors of the economy. USMCA builds on the success of the NAFTA agreement, makes improvements to further enhance U.S. food and agricultural exports to our neighbors, and would deliver an additional $2.2 billion in U.S. economic activity.

“Ratifying the USMCA is an important step in creating stability for the U.S. companies involved in trade,” said Lance Jungmeyer, FPAA president.  “This translates into increased jobs, economic growth, and direct consumer benefits as well.”

The International Trade Commission’s recent report on USMCA confirmed that the agreement will improve market access for U.S. farmers, ranchers and food producers, as well as positively impact both the U.S. agriculture sector and the broader national economy.

One in four American manufacturing jobs are related to agriculture, and USMCA, once implemented, will strengthen the U.S. farm and agriculture economy and further support and secure vital market access for U.S. farmers, ranchers, and agri-businesses.