Mexican Tomato Growers Make Proposal to Salvage U.S. Pact

Mexican tomato growers yesterday made what they say is an unprecedented proposal to the U.S. Commerce Department to salvage a 16-year-old pricing agreement for exports to the U.S.

The proposal would extend the current accord to cover 100 percent of Mexican tomatoes instead of the current 85 percent, Martin Ley, a representative for the growers from Mexico, said in an interview after meeting with Commerce Department officials yesterday in Washington. His group is also offering to add 18 percent to 25 percent to the floor price, depending on the type of tomato.