Tomato prices rise on light supplies

Tomato volumes are tight and may remain until mid-January from both Mexico and Florida.

That has caused prices to remain significantly higher than normal.

USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service reports early January prices for Florida 25-pound cartons of mature greens are $30 for 5×6 and $26 for 6×6 and 6×7.

Mexican vine-ripes crossing through Nogales, AZ, were $27-31 for cartons of 4×4 and 4×5, $25-29 for 5×5 and $21-27 for 5×6.

Markon Cooperative, BB #:123315 Salinas, CA, says to expect extremely limited supplies for the next two weeks.

Florida round, grape, and cherry tomato volume is below normal. Last month’s rain and recent cold weather have hindered growth and reduced yields.

Round tomatoes are dominated by small sizes (6×6 and 6×7); large sizes are limited (4×4 and 4×5). Supplies are not expected to increase until late January.

Mexican vine ripe, grape, and cherry tomatoes remain very tight. Baja vine ripe and grape tomato volume is not meeting demand; winter new crop round, grape, and cherry tomatoes are slowly ramping up in Culiacan, Sinaloa. Significant yields are not expected until the week of January 18.

Roma production has accelerated; prices will ease as supplies become more plentiful.