Cheap imports of cherries from Turkey threaten the income of farmers in Michigan, who produce two-thirds of the country’s sour cherry supply.
This has prompted the industry to turn to the U.S. government for help by imposing tariffs on imports.
Over the past three years, Turkish cherry imports have almost doubled annually. Imports sell wholesale for about 89 cents per pound, according to the USDA. Cherries grown in the USA cost about $4.60 per pound. Michigan farmers fear that if import tariffs are not imposed on Turkey, their farms will be forced to shut down.