A new study by the University of Arizona looked at how imported tomatoes from Mexico, affect the U.S. economy. The U.S. imported 3.4 billion pounds of those tomatoes in 2016.
The fruit was valued at $1.9 billion dollars. However, it contributed $4.8 billion dollars in sales to the U.S economy in 2016. U.S. and Canadian imports of Mexican tomatoes also supported nearly 33,000 jobs.
The study was conducted by the UA Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics. A spokesman from the department said the study shows that imported produce supports economic activity, jobs, and income in the U.S.
