US (CA): Building summer tomato business is a focus

“Demand for tomatoes is good across the board,” says Aaron Brookes with Jacobs Farm Del Cabo from Pescadero, CA. “In the summer months, the market shifts to the local production deals as they’re available. But the demand for the national program business is also good.” While Jacobs also grows tomatoes locally, some varieties are grown throughout the Baja Peninsula. This time of year, it’s growing primarily out of the northern Baja region.

In fact, Jacobs has seen a boost in supplies of tomatoes compared to last year. Over recent summers, they have seen 15 percent growth. “Building our summer tomato business is a focus and on the upward swing,” says Brookes.

While pricing fluctuates based on supply (and Brookes adds that pricing looks similar to last year), he notes that this year pricing has been more stable compared to last year. “We’re anticipating it should remain relatively stable too,” he says.

Tomatoes are just one of the things Brookes will discuss at the upcoming Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit, held this October 19-20 in Orlando, Fl. “We’re going to show a broad range of what we do,” says Brookes, noting that it will show its peppers, squash and culinary herbs business. In fact, along with some new hot peppers it’s introducing in the market next year, Jacobs will bring to the show its new winter-themed culinary herb mixtures created with winter soups and stews in mind.