SPECCX

Groceries are on the way to getting more expensive. Some facts about the ones that will be hit hard most... Canada is the?largest exporter of meat products to the U.S. 88% of Mexico's produce ends up in the U.S. – is this frozen or fresh, can say for certain. Staples that come from Mexico include: -Tomatoes -Spinach -Avocados - 90% of avocados in the U.S. are exported from Mexico -Bell peppers -Raspberries -Strawberries Cereal Grains - Canada exports to the U.S.— $1.31 billion dollars' worth Beer and Liquor Maple Syrup Sugar Retailers need to diversify their supply chains and look to source from US producers. Carolinas Food Industry Council (CFIC) Piggly Wiggly Alabama Distributing Company, Inc. Lowes Foods Kim Eskew Harps Food Stores, Inc. Associated Wholesale Grocers W. Lee Flowers & Co Turnip Truck Market Alabama Grocers Association

New tariffs imposed by President Trump on imports from Mexico and Canada are expected to significantly increase grocery prices, particularly for fresh produce like avocados, strawberries, and tomatoes. These tariffs could lead to price hikes as high as 25% for some items.

Have you been affected by this recent announcement? A very impactful change was announced today for producers, buyers, and our supply chain across the U.S. Both sides of the supply chain will need to diversify their access to new markets as the traditional systems are being modified. We would like to hear from you - feel free to reach out and let us know how we can help. #USDA #LFPA #FoodBanks #Schools Tennessee Department of Agriculture Tennessee Department of Education Kentucky Department of Agriculture Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Carolinas Food Industry Council (CFIC) Georgia Department of Agriculture Georgia Food Industry Association (GFIA) Arkansas Department of Agriculture Arkansas Farm Bureau Missouri Grocers Association Western Growers California Grocers Association Tennessee Grocers and Convenience Store Association Chad Sillery Greg Rush Associated Wholesale Grocers Tim Lowe Lindsey KueffnerEllie Taylor Meredith Casey

Sharing as a resource for information on #tariffs

Like everyone else, we are watching this closely. As of this morning,?25 percent tariffs remain in place?for fresh produce coming from Canada and Mexico, the United States’ largest trading partners for our products. What could this mean to our US farmers?

We had the opportunity yesterday to present SPECCX to a dozen Middle Tennessee farmers at the Rileys Farm in Adams, TN yesterday. Many in the group have predominantly grown tobacco and are looking to diversity with specialty crops. It is our hope SPECCX can help them reach untapped markets and leverage spot/forward contracts to grow their businesses. Special thanks to Phillip Head and the Riley's for organizing and hosting this event. Warm appreciations to Louis Buck who helped with the presentation and toured us through Adams entertaining us with stories about the Bell Witch. Everybody loves a John Deere tractor! Andy Holt Tennessee Department of Agriculture Adam Williams Greg Rush 3 Rivers Energy Partners #johndeere

??Don’t miss this funding opportunity for farmers and other food producers. The Northeast USDA Regional Food Business Center just launched the first round of Business Builder grants. Applications close on April 7.

SPECCX is announcing new additions to The Exchange: Beef, Seafood, and Rice. Specialty Crops, still a focus, but always evolving with the market demand! Lindsey Kueffner Andy Holt Meredith Casey Rick Pate Chris Jones, PMP, PCM Greg Rush Wes Ward Sid Miller Ellie Taylor Kathy Kuzava Rob Ikard

Sharing our February/March newsletter to keep everyone up to date on SPECCX developments and latest news. Exciting new products added to The Exchange to meet market demand - read on! Lindsey Kueffner Ellie Watson Rob Ikard Chad Sillery Don Wambles Meredith Casey Blake Thaxton Carolinas Food Industry Council (CFIC) Arkansas Farm Bureau Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) Alabama Grocers Association Heart of Alabama Food Bank #beef #seafood #rice #specialtycrops

Thank you to the farmers I get to work for every day! Our 2025 AFVGA Conference was amazing. I can't even begin to thank everyone who contributed but I will try...thanks to the Alabama Farmers Federation staff, all of our tradeshow exhibitors and sponsors, the many speakers, Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI), our farm tour hosts, the AFVGA Board of Directors, and most of all to our members. I can't wait for February 4-6, 2026 so we can all gather again in Gulf Shores, Alabama!