Commercial trucks stopped at U.S.-Mexico border cause grocery supply delays. What to know
Commercial trucks stopped at the Mexican border waiting to be inspected before crossing into the U.S. are expected to delay the arrival of imported goods, including produce products.
The inspections are a directive to Texas Department of Public Safety troopers from Gov. Greg Abbott as a way to “secure the border” from migrants who cross the border into Texas.
Abbott ordered heightened inspections at the border April 6 in response to the ending of public health order Title 42, which allowed for the quick expulsion of migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border during the pandemic.
On Tuesday Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller called on Abbott to end the truck inspection project and said the state should instead push back on the lift of Title 42.
“Up to 20,000 truckers cross the border on a normal day,” Miller said in a statement. “My reports are that each inspection is taking an hour and has created a backlog with thousands of trucks clogging the border. Refrigerated produce is being ruined as trucks run out of fuel after being in line for over a day.”
So, how much fresh produce does Mexico import into the U.S.? Here’s what to know.
How much produce does the U.S. receive from Mexico?
According to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, Mexico is the United States’ largest goods trading partner, with $614.5 billion in total two-way goods trade in 2019.
Imports of agricultural products from Mexico in 2019 totaled $28 billion — leading categories include fresh fruit at $6.9 billion, fresh vegetables at $6.3 billion and processed fruit and vegetables at $1.8 billion.
Some fresh produce the U.S. receives from Mexico includes avocados, limes, mangoes, tomatoes and broccoli.
How much have grocery prices in the United States increased since the pandemic?
The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported a 3.5 percent increase in grocery store food prices in 2021 from 2020; the 20-year historical level of food price inflation is 2 percent per year.
Fresh fruit prices increased by 5.5 percent in 2021, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
This year from January to February, the consumer price index for grocery food prices increased 1.4 percent, and rose 8.6 percent higher than February 2021, according to the department.
Will food prices continue to increase?
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, food prices this year are expected to exceed the increases from the previous pandemic years in 2020 and 2021.
This year, grocery food prices are expected to increase 3-4 percent. Restaurant and take-out food is expected to increase between 5.5-6.5 percent, according to the department.
This story was originally published April 13, 2022 at 4:47 PM.
