In March, after months of negotiations, it appeared Tony DiMare and other proponents of the Florida tomato industry won. They contended to the U.S. Department of Commerce that Mexican tomatoes were being dumped on the U.S. market at prices so ridiculously low, American growers couldn't compete. After tense discussions, with talk of the tomato war's ripple effect possibly damaging U.S. exports to Mexico, an agreement was reached.
The prices of Mexican tomatoes were increased. More enforcement was promised, by the U.S. government and Mexico.
It's not enough, DiMare said.
"We're not satisfied," said DiMare, president of the Florida Tomato Exchange, a lobbying group. DiMare is also the vice president of DiMare Co., an 85-year-old produce business started by his grandfather and two great-uncles in Boston. DiMare Co., said to be one of the nation's largest tomato producers, has farms and packing plants in California and Florida, with farms in Hillsborough and a plant and offices in Ruskin.
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