Latest News From Tomatoes

DelFrescoPure expands tomato line
DelFrescoPure expands tomato line

The Kingsville, Ontario, Canada-based greenhouse grower said it will debut its Original Cherry Tomatoes on the Vine at the Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure event, set for March 7-9 in Tampa, Fla.

NatureSweet opens greenhouse production facility in Arizona
NatureSweet opens greenhouse production facility in Arizona

The company plans to grow cherry tomatoes as well as a mix of conventional and organic produce at its 44-acre facility in Bonita, Ariz.

SunFed expects growth in Mexican Produce, despite challenges
SunFed expects growth in Mexican Produce, despite challenges

Rio Rico, Ariz.-based SunFed expects to move slightly more Mexican produce in 2024 compared to last year, despite weather challenges early in the year.

U.S. imports of Mexican tomatoes rise slightly in 2023
U.S. imports of Mexican tomatoes rise slightly in 2023

Imports of Mexican tomatoes through all U.S. ports totaled $2.49 billion from January through November 2023, up 1% from calendar year 2022 imports of $2.48 billion, up 5% from $2.38 billion in 2020.

Researchers look at tomato health benefits
Researchers look at tomato health benefits

Scientists at the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service and the Ohio State University have been working to investigate how tomatoes may be imparting health benefits in a recently published study.

Here's how organic tomato purchases are trending, according to a consumer survey
Here's how organic tomato purchases are trending, according to a consumer survey

The Packer’s Organic Fresh Trends 2024 shows that the percentage of consumers who said they purchased organic tomatoes exclusively continues to rise.

Year in Produce 2023: Tomato suspension agreement draws critics, supporters
Year in Produce 2023: Tomato suspension agreement draws critics, supporters

A contentious issue for decades, the terms of the U.S. tomato trade with Mexico again hung in the balance in 2023.

Clashes continue over tomato trade agreement with Mexico
Clashes continue over tomato trade agreement with Mexico

As importers argue for its preservation, Florida Republican Sen. Rick Scott has reiterated his request for the immediate termination of the 2019 tomato suspension agreement.

Javier Badillo
Tomato antidumping duties would be a disaster for all parties

Using duties to replace the suspension agreement that regulates U.S. imports of Mexican tomatoes would make things far worse for the U.S. tomato market, says Javier Badillo of the FPAA in this guest column.

What are the implications of terminating the 2019 Tomato Suspension Agreement?
What are the implications of terminating the 2019 Tomato Suspension Agreement?

An upcoming webinar from the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas aims to help U.S. importers of Mexican tomatoes to better understand the implications of a potential termination to the 2019 suspension agreement.

On heels of premium strawberry releases, Oishii adds bite-sized tomato to portfolio
On heels of premium strawberry releases, Oishii adds bite-sized tomato to portfolio

The Kearny, N.J.-based commercial-scale indoor vertical farm has added a new fruit tomato, available at select Whole Foods Markets.

American Gothic: Farm Couple Nailed in Massive $9M Crop Insurance Fraud
American Gothic: Farm Couple Nailed in Massive $9M Crop Insurance Fraud

Welcome to a $9 million orgy of crop insurance fraud by an unassuming farm couple.

This port leads the U.S. in Mexican tomato imports
This port leads the U.S. in Mexican tomato imports

U.S. imports of Mexican tomatoes through all ports in 2022 totaled $2.48 billion, and this Texas port district accounted for 57% of all Mexican tomato value.

U.S. imports of Mexican tomatoes see growth in value
U.S. imports of Mexican tomatoes see growth in value

The value of U.S. tomato imports from Mexico from October 2022 through September 2023 reached $2.7 billion.

Report: Most Mexican tomatoes grown in controlled conditions
Report: Most Mexican tomatoes grown in controlled conditions

In Mexico, "growers throughout the country use greenhouses, shade houses, high-tunnel systems, and other climate-control technologies to supply the U.S. market year-round,” the report said.

U.S. imports of Mexican vegetables show growth
U.S. imports of Mexican vegetables show growth

U.S. imports of Mexican fresh vegetables enjoyed a strong year in 2022-23, however, USDA numbers say the value of U.S. imports of Mexican fresh fruit was flat compared with 2021-22.

Water worries linger for Mexican growers
Water worries linger for Mexican growers

Availability of water in growing regions is one concern for Mexican produce growers and distributors this season, says Lance Jungmeyer, president of the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas.

Divine Flavor readies for strong Mexican season
Divine Flavor readies for strong Mexican season

Year-round programs, snacking commodities, organics and flavor are all trends for Mexican produce  — and all are important to the Divine Flavor brand, says Michael DuPuis, quality assurance manager.

Nature Fresh Farms expands tomato production to California
Nature Fresh Farms expands tomato production to California

The Ontario-based greenhouse grower is expanding production to the West Coast, partnering with grower Millennium Pacific to bring California-grown Hiiros Tomatoes to market.

University develops machine-harvestable tomato
University develops machine-harvestable tomato

The University of Florida has come up with a tomato variety that some say could be a game-changer for the state’s tomato industry.

Amid challenges, passion drives Florida tomato growers
Amid challenges, passion drives Florida tomato growers

It’s not easy being a tomato farmer in Florida, but even as their numbers dwindle, enough die-hard farmers remain to earn Florida the No. 1 ranking for the value of fresh-market tomatoes in the U.S.

Good-quality tomatoes expected in Florida after slow start
Good-quality tomatoes expected in Florida after slow start

The state's 2023-24 tomato acreage should be similar to last season’s, but volume should be up because Hurricane Ian put a damper on production last year, said Michael Schadler of the Florida Tomato Exchange.

FPAA, NatureSweet urge preservation of 2019 Tomato Suspension Agreement
FPAA, NatureSweet urge preservation of 2019 Tomato Suspension Agreement

U.S. distributors of Mexican tomatoes are pushing hard to blunt the effort by domestic producers to terminate the 2019 Suspension Agreement between Mexican tomato producers and the U.S. Commerce Department.

Enza Zaden set to expand, integrate Central America operations
Enza Zaden set to expand, integrate Central America operations

Responding to changes in Central America’s competitive landscape and market potential, the vegetable breeding company says it plans to integrate its operations in the region.

NatureSweet: Tariffs could cause U.S. consumers to pay much more for fresh tomatoes
NatureSweet: Tariffs could cause U.S. consumers to pay much more for fresh tomatoes

San Antonio-based NatureSweet is warning that ending the U.S.-Mexico Tomato Suspension Agreement could add tariffs of more than 20% on the imports of fresh tomatoes into the U.S.

Florida Tomato Exchange: FPAA-cited study has ‘no basis' in reality
Florida Tomato Exchange: FPAA-cited study has ‘no basis' in reality

A study recently cited by the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas is designed to “distract from Mexico’s record of dumping tomatoes,” the Florida Tomato Exchange says.

Study: End of suspension agreement will drive up consumer tomato prices
Study: End of suspension agreement will drive up consumer tomato prices

A 10-page economic study from Arizona State University says ending the U.S.-Mexico suspension minimum price agreement for tomatoes would raise consumer prices by as much as 50%.

NatureSweet breaks into foodservice with 3 snacking tomato additions
NatureSweet breaks into foodservice with 3 snacking tomato additions

The indoor grower is expanding its snacking tomato portfolio, adding Cherub, Glorys and Constellation brand tomatoes for foodservice and piloting two restaurant programs.

NatureSweet sold to investment firm that seeks to ‘accelerate growth’
NatureSweet sold to investment firm that seeks to ‘accelerate growth’

Blue Road Capital is acquiring the greenhouse grower from its venture-capital parent company, Silver Venture, and aims to expand the company through increased vertical integration, innovation and distribution channels.

Pure Flavor acquires MightyVine, continues strategic regional investments
Pure Flavor acquires MightyVine, continues strategic regional investments

With the aim of providing the Midwest with a steady supply of fresh greenhouse-grown tomatoes, Pure Flavor has acquired MightyVine, a controlled environment agriculture tomato grower in Rochelle, Ill.

Lipman Family Farms introduces two award-winning tomatoes
Lipman Family Farms introduces two award-winning tomatoes

Both tomatoes were recently honored with the International Taste Institute's 2023 Superior Taste Award.

USDA extends comment period on tomato and pepper virus control options
USDA extends comment period on tomato and pepper virus control options

The USDA is extending the public comment on regulatory policy options to control the spread of the Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV).

USDA seeking input on the handling of tomato virus
USDA seeking input on the handling of tomato virus

The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is seeking input on how the agency should handle the Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) in fresh tomatoes and peppers.

Fresh Trends 2023: How the tomato is trending
Fresh Trends 2023: How the tomato is trending

The Packer’s Fresh Trends 2023 survey found that 58% of respondents said they purchased tomatoes in the past year.

Happy Dirt puts organic heirloom tomatoes 'on the map'
Happy Dirt puts organic heirloom tomatoes 'on the map'

While heirlooms can be more challenging to grow in the field, North Carolina-based Happy Dirt farmer-owner Sanford Fishel has found a way to defy the odds.

Grown in glass: How Abby Lange cultivates tomatoes in the Chihuahuan Desert
Grown in glass: How Abby Lange cultivates tomatoes in the Chihuahuan Desert

Village Farms is growing over a million pounds of fresh produce a year in the inhospitable Big Bend region of Texas thanks to innovative, greenhouse growing methods and knowledgeable farmers like Abby Lange.

FDA on purple tomatoes: No further questions
FDA on purple tomatoes: No further questions

The purple tomato is heading to market.

High-resistance ToBRFV tomato variety progressing, seed companies say
High-resistance ToBRFV tomato variety progressing, seed companies say

NRGene and Philoseed are among seed companies reporting major progress toward widespread commercialization of a ToBRFV (Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus) high-resistance trait in tomatoes.

Florida Tomato Exchange: Many growers support ending U.S.-Mexico Tomato Suspension Agreement
Florida Tomato Exchange: Many growers support ending U.S.-Mexico Tomato Suspension Agreement

The push to end the U.S.-Mexico Tomato Suspension Agreement is supported by most American tomato growers.

Florida tomato leaders asks Commerce Department to revise approach to Mexico-U.S. tomato trade
Florida tomato leaders asks Commerce Department to revise approach to Mexico-U.S. tomato trade

A Florida group has asked the Commerce Department to dump price agreements and implement antidumping duties on Mexican tomatoes.

AppHarvest faces foreclosure of its Richmond tomato farm
AppHarvest faces foreclosure of its Richmond tomato farm

A recent public filing could cause the indoor grower to default on its Richmond farm facility and trigger a domino effect, leading to additional farm foreclosures.

USDA: Mexican tomato output and exports forecast to rise
USDA: Mexican tomato output and exports forecast to rise

The USDA’s annual report on Mexican tomatoes forecasts Mexico’s 2023 fresh tomato production at 3.87 million metric tons, a 2% increase compared with 2022.

'Exceptional’ Arkansas tomato crop expected
'Exceptional’ Arkansas tomato crop expected

Arkansas is known for its tasty field-grown tomatoes, and grower-shippers say this year’s crop should put a smile on the faces of produce buyers and consumers alike.

Vegetable breeder says new tomato varieties bring high resistance to virus
Vegetable breeder says new tomato varieties bring high resistance to virus

The Netherlands-based Enza Zaden says its new tomato varieties provide growers another tool to combat Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV).

Mastronardi Produce drops new Umami Bombs snacking tomatoes
Mastronardi Produce drops new Umami Bombs snacking tomatoes

The greenhouse grower says Umami The Fifth Taste brings a new flavor profile to the Bombs product line with a sweet and savory taste.

Sound Agriculture launches on-demand-bred tomato
Sound Agriculture launches on-demand-bred tomato

The Summer Swell tomato will be distributed through New York City-based produce wholesaler distributor S. Katzman Produce and available at grocery stores in the New York metropolitan area beginning April 2023.

Japanese scientists seek to create vegetables with anti-inflammatory properties using plant pigments
Japanese scientists seek to create vegetables with anti-inflammatory properties using plant pigments

Recently, research findings have brought to the forefront the strong antioxidant potential of betalains, making them potential candidates to produce health foods and combat various diseases.

Tantalizing that tomato shopper
Tantalizing that tomato shopper

After bananas and apples, the perennial household favorites, tomatoes, typically go toe-to-toe with potatoes, carrots and onions jockeying for position in the shopping cart.

New report outlines catastrophic loss from the Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus and best practices to control it
New report outlines catastrophic loss from the Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus and best practices to control it

Seattle, Wash.-based computer vision company IUNU has published a report containing information on how Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus spreads, how to detect ToBRFV, diagnostics for every stage of production and more.

Calavo Growers enters licensing partnership with Old El Paso
Calavo Growers enters licensing partnership with Old El Paso

The California-based avocado producer and value-added fresh purveyor has secured exclusive manufacturing rights for Old El Paso brand fresh guacamole and salsas in the U.S. market.