Impacts of Nafta on the Valencia Orange Industries of Arizona and Sonora, Mexico

As perennial fruits, oranges rank only behind grapes in terms of total area planted, volume and value of production in Sonora (SARH). Prior to NAFTA only a small portion of Sonora's orange crop was exported to the U.S., and the remainder was consumed in the fresh domestic market (Donnadieu). Profits per carton sold in Mexico were greater than those earned by Sonoran exports to the United States. However, NAFTA's elimination of U.S. duties on orange imports could increase profits for Sonora's exports to the U.S. and, consequently, could redirect Sonora's oranges from the domestic market to the U.S. market.