Intense storms along the eastern part of the United States has affected tomato production there and caused shortages. With demand still strong across North America, prices have been high. While the weather has largely affected open-field production, even Canadian greenhouse growers have noticed an uptick in prices.
“A lot of people will say that the open-field market doesn't affect the greenhouse market, but it does,” said Danny Pulcinelli of Del Fresco Produce in Ontario, Canada. “If there are no Roma tomatoes, then people will go after vine-ripened ones; if there are fewer vine-ripened tomatoes, then people will go for Beefsteak tomatoes; if there are fewer Beefsteaks, then people will go for tomatoes on the vine, and so on.” Roma tomatoes, in particular, seem to be market bellwethers, and prices for those have been high.
“Prices for Romas have been all over the place,” said Pulcinelli. “But the tomato market, overall, is very strong because demand exceeds availability. California doesn't have much, the East Coast got wiped out, Florida looks like they will struggle with their crop and the local stuff will be cleared up. You can find tomatoes right now, but you will just pay more for them.”
For more information:
Danny Pulcinelli
Del Fresco Produce
+1 519 733 6101
