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PHARR, Texas - The start of the fresh produce season 2021-22 was celebrated at the Pharr International Bridge on Oct. 7.

Produce growers, importers, distributors, and consumers from the United States and Mexico were in attendance for the annual event.

The Pharr International Bridge is No. 1 in the nation for moving fresh produce. It averages 200,000 fresh produce shipments per year. It is No. 1 in the nation for the importation of pineapples and avocados. It is No. 2 in the nation for the importation of berries. And it is No. 3 in the nation for the importation of tomatoes.

This information was provided by Ken Roberts of World City, a publication that tracks imports and exports U.S. Census data.

\u201cThe Pharr International Bridge continues to remain the #1 Produce gateway in the nation,\u201d said Pharr Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, ahead of the event. \u201cOur bridge director, board, and staff continue to do an outstanding job working with all our partners to continue to expand growth and access through our bridge and we look forward to another record-setting season.\u201d

At the event, Hernandez said the \u201cunsung heroes\u201d of the Pharr International Bridge were the consumers that use the port of entry.

Pharr International Bridge Director Luis Bazan pointed out that the U.S. has consistently remained Mexico's No. 1 trading partner for produce and goods. He said Pharr's ideal geographical location has resulted in not only a great partnership between the two countries, but also in the growth of their produce trading capacity.\xa0

\u201cThe Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge has evolved into the largest land port for fruits and vegetables in the nation,\u201d Bazan told the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service. \u201cCurrently, the Pharr International Bridge crosses more than 65 percent of all the fresh produce coming from Mexico through Texas land ports of entry.\u201d

Ken Roberts and World City reported that the U.S. imported $355.10 million worth of lemons and other citrus produce through the bridge. The value of peppers, asparagus, and squash, etc., crossing into the U.S. via the bridge was $428.01.71 million. The value of tomatoes crossing into the U.S. via the bridge was $592.72 million. The value of strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries crossing into the U.S. via the bridge was $954.71 million. And the value of avocados, dates, figs and pineapples crossing the same bridge was worth $1.43 billion.\xa0

The attached podcast features all the comments made from the podium by Mayor Hernandez and Bridge Director Bazan at the season kickoff event.

To read the new stories and watch the news videos of the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service go to www.riograndeguardian.com.