Source: AgriLife Today
Potential economic expansion of U.S. produce imports from Mexico could lead to an estimated 7,700 Texas jobs and an economic impact of $815.2 million to the Lone Star State.
“We are at a crossroads,” said Dr. Luis Ribera, center director and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service economist. “Are we going to depend on foreign countries to produce more fruits and vegetables or will we produce more?”
Ribera said H-E-B, Wal-Mart and Kroger all want year-round produce.
“They want to have certain fruits and vegetables year round to capitalize on consumers’ needs,” he said.
The seasonality of imports is one focus area of AgriLife Extension’s Healthy South Texas initiative, which aims to increase the consumption of vegetables and promote healthier lifestyles among those in South Texas. As the state and nation’s population continues to grow, more fruits and vegetables will be needed.
Learn more about the Center for North American Studies
Learn more about Growing a Healthy Texas
—
AgriLife Extension delivers research-based educational programs and solutions for all Texans. Follow us: Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest or InternetTV.
Learn more about Opportunities to Support Extension.