GRAINGER COUNTY, Tenn. — A new 17% duty on Mexican-grown tomatoes is now in effect, part of a federal effort to bolster U.S. agriculture. While the policy has sparked concern nationwide about rising produce prices, some Tennessee tomato growers say the impact at home will likely be minimal, at least for now.
“As far as tomatoes go, there needs to be a tariff, there really does,” said Steve Longmire, a longtime grower in Grainger County.
The region is known for its tomatoes, and growers here say peak season is when Tennessee-grown produce fills most local shelves, not imports…