U.S. Commerce preliminarily finds Mexican strawberries below fair value

Mexico rejects finding, warns of broader precedent for agricultural exports

The U.S. Department of Commerce on August 19 issued a preliminary determination finding that Mexican strawberries are being sold in the United States below their “normal value,” establishing anti-dumping duties ranging from 3.37% to 5.28% on imports of the fruit. The decision stems from an investigation into alleged unfair competition during the winter season.

The Commerce Department limited its inquiry to “winter strawberries” sold in Florida between November 1 and March 31 — a scope the department said was chosen to protect local producers from seasonal market distortions. Most Mexican exporters face an average duty rate of 4.83%, according to the department. Mexico exported $1 billion worth of strawberries in 2025.

Mexico’s government rejected the preliminary determination. In a statement, the Economy Ministry expressed “serious concern” and objected to two specific aspects of the Commerce Department’s methodology. Mexican authorities argued that the distinction between “winter strawberries” and strawberries in general lacks legal and technical grounds. They also objected to the department’s designation of a regional market covering some eastern U.S. states rather than treating the United States market as a whole.

The Economy Ministry said the measure violates the World Trade Organization’s Anti-Dumping Agreement and several provisions of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, warning that the decision could set a dangerous precedent for other Mexican agricultural exports.

Mexican news outlets Expansión and El Economista reported that the measure would directly affect nearly 5,000 producers, 97% of whom are small farmers operating less than 10 hectares, or about 25 acres. The regional supply chain supports 151,000 permanent and temporary workers whose jobs could be affected. The greatest logistical and production effects are expected in Michoacán, Guanajuato, Baja California and Jalisco — key strawberry-producing states.

Because the determination is preliminary, the duties will be collected as cash deposits at U.S. Customs while the proceedings continue. The process is expected to run through January 8, when the U.S. International Trade Commission must determine whether the imports cause or threaten material injury to the U.S. industry.

For a final anti-dumping duty order to issue, the Commerce Department must make a final determination that the products are sold below fair value and the International Trade Commission must find that the imports cause or threaten material injury to U.S. producers.

Mexican media reported that the private sector and the federal government plan to coordinate a joint legal defense seeking to reverse the measure before a final determination.