The Produce Reporter Week in Review November 14, 2025 

Tariffs and the government shutdown have been in the news for many weeks, and both topics got major updates this week. And Walmart made a major announcement. 

The longest government shutdown came to an end this week, but ending a shutdown is easier than getting everything back running again. 

For the retail and produce industries, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program’s disruption had a major impact, and it is to be fully funded again after delays in November. 

The program, which serves 42 million people in the U.S., was the subject of lawsuits and politics, and no doubt affected the retail market the first two weeks of November, when some recipients had partial benefits and others had none. SNAP benefits remain in limbo after Supreme Court ruling, government shutdown nearing end  – Blue Book 

IFPA released a statement calling on USDA to address economic relief for growers and SNAP recipients, and for the government overall to get to work on the farm bill, prioritizing programs that improve access to fruits and vegetables. IFPA calls for investment in nutrition and specialty crops after government shutdown – Blue Book 

Tariffs 

Late in the week, the Trump administration announced trade deals with El Salvador, Argentina, Ecuador, and Guatemala, which would cut tariffs on items that can’t be grown or produced in the U.S., which most importantly to our industry, includes bananas. U.S. to cut tariffs on bananas and other items from four countries  – Blue Book 

The banana industry and many others have pointed out since the start of tariffs, that taxing imports such as tropical fruits, which the U.S. can’t produce commercially, didn’t fit with the administration’s tariff strategy of returning overseas production to the United States. 

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said this week that the administration heard Americans’ complaints about high food prices and deals like this should bring down costs. 

These trade deals are welcome news to the retail and produce industries, and if they do lead to lower food prices, to all Americans. 

Walmart 

This week, Walmart’s Board of Directors selected Walmart U.S. CEO John Furner to succeed Doug McMillon as President and CEO of Walmart Inc. Walmart announces President and CEO transition – Blue Book 

McMillon has been Walmart’s CEO for more than a decade and has overseen strong growth and a focus on e-commerce to compete with fellow retailers, including Amazon. 

The leadership change had been rumored for several years, but the timing and naming of his successor caught observers by surprise. 

Furner has been president and CEO of Walmart U.S. since 2019 and has had leadership positions within the retailer since his start as an hourly associate in1993. 

Furner will take over as CEO of Walmart at the end of the company’s fiscal year, starting February 1, 2026. He will be the fifth CEO of Walmart since founder Sam Walton.