Tomatoes markets will rise this fall as hurricane weather affects multiple areas. Florida growers expect damage in the central and southern growing regions.

• Round and Roma tomato volume is low in North Carolina and Tennessee due to cool fall temperatures; crops will run until the first frost
• The transition to Northern Florida (Quincy), which has avoided Hurricane Ian damage, will begin next week
• Virginia continues to produce good quality grape and cherry tomatoes this season
• Florida’s central regions of Palmetto/Ruskin and Immokalee were highly impacted by Hurricane Ian on September 28; growers will need time to make full assessments
• Early indications of Hurricane Ian damage include the following:
  • The Quincy region in North Florida is not reporting damage currently; production will start in early October
  • The Ruskin/Palmetto season (November to mid-December) received a direct hit
    • Crop loss will occur
    • Replanting isn’t expected this late in the growing cycle
  • Farther south, the Immokalee season (December to May) received very strong winds and rain; replanting is likely but early December production will be impacted
  • Full crop assessments will start later this week
• California round and Roma tomato crops will wind down during the month of October
• Roma quality ranges from average to poor due to past heatwaves followed by rain
  • Quality issues have led to extra grading at packing houses
  • Size is dominated by small tomatoes
• Mexico’s Baja Peninsula will have lower volume this fall due to damage caused by Hurricane Kay
• Round, Roma, grape and cherry tomato stocks are increasing in East Mexico; large sizes are available
• Expect prices to rise through the month of October

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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