On today’s episode of the AgNet News Hour, Jacob Villagomez, director of governmental affairs for California Citrus Mutual, returned for Part 2 of his conversation about the challenges and opportunities facing California citrus growers. One of the biggest concerns is the growing volume of Argentine lemons entering the U.S. market at the same time California growers are trying to sell their crop.
Villagomez said the problem has been particularly difficult for lemon growers in Ventura County, where the California harvest overlaps with Argentine imports. According to Villagomez, Argentina shipped roughly 94,000 metric tons of lemons into the United States in 2024—a dramatic increase from the volumes anticipated when Argentine lemons were allowed to return to the U.S. market.
California Citrus Mutual is now asking the U.S. Trade Representative for a tariff-rate quota, or TRQ, that would establish a volume of Argentine lemons allowed into the country at the normal tariff rate, with a higher tariff applying to imports above that threshold.
“There needs to be some sort of balance here,” Villagomez said, emphasizing that the goal is to provide relief for domestic growers competing in the market at the same time.
The discussion also turned to the 2026 California governor’s race and why the outcome could have significant consequences for agriculture. Villagomez called the election “very, very, very pivotal,” noting that the next governor will appoint hundreds of positions, including California’s agriculture secretary and members of influential bodies such as the State Water Resources Control Board and California Air Resources Board.
Villagomez said California Citrus Mutual has spoken with both gubernatorial campaigns and hopes the next administration will give agriculture greater attention and work more closely with the Legislature on issues affecting growers.
The conversation also covers citrus research, HLB, the Farm Bill, California-grown marketing and the importance of helping policymakers and consumers better understand agriculture.
Listen to Part 2 of the full interview with Jacob Villagomez below or on your favorite podcast app.
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