Senator Collins Urges Commerce Department to Provide Tariff Relief for Maine’s Wild Blueberry Producers

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Susan Collins wrote to Department of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer requesting that the Commerce Department provide targeted relief from the tariff imposed on steel and aluminum for the wild blueberry industry in Maine. In her letter, she highlighted how wild blueberry producers in Maine have already seen more than $28 million in losses this year due to severe drought conditions, putting this iconic Maine industry at risk. She also highlighted that the ramifications of tariffs have not been exclusive to Maine's wild blueberry industry and have reverberated across Maine's agricultural economy.

"The wild blueberry industry is vital to Maine's economy, contributing $361 million annually. Last year, Maine produced approximately 85 million pounds of wild blueberries, representing nearly 100 percent of all wild blueberries and 10 percent of all blueberries grown in the United States," Senator Collins wrote. "Wild blueberries are an antioxidant rich superfood widely lauded for their health benefits, and Maine is the only U.S. producer of this important wild fruit."

"Unfortunately, the 50 percent tariff on steel and aluminum has significantly increased the cost of the equipment used to harvest the wild blueberry crop in Maine. This specialized equipment, which harvests approximately 90 percent of Maine's wild blueberry crop, is only available in Canada," she continued. "[…] Without access to affordable parts, and with no U.S.-based manufacturer that produces specialized wild blueberry equipment, Maine's wild blueberry producers will see significant increases to their costs."

"As the Administration continues to work on trade negotiations with Canada, I request that you exempt wild blueberry harvesting, processing, and mowing equipment from the tariff imposed on steel and aluminum from Canada. I understand the Administration terminated the exclusion process for steel and aluminum earlier this year - a decision I encouraged the Administration to reverse in an earlier letter. Nevertheless, it is critical that Maine's wild blueberry industry receive targeted relief," Senator Collins concluded.

The complete text of the letter can be read here.

Last month, Senator Collins wrote to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins urging the Department to provide disaster assistance to Maine's specialty crop and livestock producers. In her letter, Senator Collins highlighted the serious toll that extreme weather, high production costs, and labor shortages have taken on Maine's wild blueberry, apple, and livestock producers. She called on the USDA to ensure that these producers are included in any federal relief efforts.

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