“It's a new challenge for us to be specialized in only small tomatoes,” said Christian Jouno, “but we did this because consumers are asking for more cherry tomatoes.” The move will mean that the amount of produce they grow, measured by weight, will diminish to 4,000 tons per year. Of that, 80 percent will be cherry tomatoes and 20 percent will be cocktail tomatoes. The move will also align them more closely with French consumers, as 90 percent of their product will now be sold domestically.
But while the move simplifies their product offerings in one way, it's being done at the same time that Tomate Jouno diversifies its small tomato offerings. As Jouno explained, small tomatoes don't just come in a handful of varieties.
New varieties
“Small fruit does not just mean red and yellow,” said Jouno. “We will have many shapes and many colors – the only thing is that each variety should be tasty. We don't want to grow different kinds just to grow different kinds of tomatoes. Every variety should offer the best possible quality to the consumer.” One of their new offerings is the Black Baby tomato, which is a tomato on the vine with a black hue. Also black in color is a cherry tomato called Black Love, which has a unique balance of sugar and acidity that provides a novel taste.“The Black Baby is tasty, but it is very fragile,” noted Jouno. “We have to take great care while picking and packing it. It is very difficult and slow work, but we are specialists and we offer special tomatoes.” That premium quality carries with it a premium price, which is a niche Jouno hopes to take advantage of in France.
“The challenge is to grow something that is difficult to grow,” said Jouno. “If everyone can do it, then there is more competition. But we are specialists, so we do the difficult things.” Tomate Jouno offers their premium tomatoes in punnets at supermarkets and in loose packaging for special orders. They also offer a select number of second-tier fruit at lower prices.For more information:
Sylvie Hochart
SARL TOMWEST
Tel: +33 2 99 13 10 12
Email: christophe@tomwest.fr
www.tomatejouno.com