Core Viewpoint - The U.S. government's decision to impose a 20.91% tariff on most tomatoes imported from Mexico threatens the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of Mexican tomato farmers, as the U.S. is the primary market for Mexican tomatoes [1][3]. Industry Impact - The farm in Baja California, Mexico, produces various crops, including tomatoes, with a total area of approximately 150 acres and 33,000 tomato plants in one greenhouse [1][3]. - The farm's initial goal for tomato exports to the U.S. was 300,000 pounds (approximately 136,078 kilograms) this year, but the new tariff has created uncertainty regarding these sales [3]. - The "heirloom" tomatoes produced are primarily for export, with no domestic market in Mexico, meaning that failure to export would result in total losses for farmers [5][7]. - In 2023, Mexico's tomato export value exceeded $3 billion, with an export volume of about 2 million tons, where the U.S. accounted for 99.8% of this volume [7]. Supply Chain Concerns - The imposition of tariffs threatens the established and efficient supply chain for Mexican tomatoes, which has developed over many years [9]. - The tariff policy is expected to weaken the export capacity of Mexican farms, reduce investment willingness among farmers, and negatively impact the entire supply chain reliant on tomato transportation, including trucking, packaging, and distribution [9]. - The uncertainty and fixed cost pressures may force some businesses to exit the market, and even if tariff policies change in the future, the damaged production and sales chains will be difficult to restore in the short term [9][10]. Broader Economic Effects - The situation is dire not only for the specific farm but for the entire Mexican agricultural sector, as the adverse effects of the tariff could lead to widespread job losses [10][12]. - The pressure on the trade chain highlights the vulnerability of farmers' livelihoods in Mexico, indicating a significant economic challenge ahead [12].