Latest News From Tomatoes

Rubio anticipates conclusion of Mexican tomato investigation
Rubio anticipates conclusion of Mexican tomato investigation

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) released a statement Aug. 8 regarding the ongoing antidumping investigation on fresh tomatoes from Mexico.

New proposal seeks breakthrough for tomato suspension agreement
New proposal seeks breakthrough for tomato suspension agreement

Three months after the U.S. pulled out of the last agreement, Mexican tomato growers have put forward a new proposal for a tomato suspension agreement with the Department of Commerce.

Retail Price Report — Roma Tomatoes
Retail Price Report — Roma Tomatoes

Roma tomatoes averaged 99 cents around the U.S. the week ending Aug. 2, according to the USDA's National Retail Report for Specialty Crops, which looks at on-ad prices. That’s down considerably from last year.

U.S. imports of Mexican tomatoes fall in May and June

For the first two months without the tomato suspension agreement with the U.S., both volume and value of U.S. imports of Mexican tomatoes have fallen below year-ago levels.

Mexican growers express frustration with negotiations
Mexican growers express frustration with negotiations

With a hint of possible trade retaliation against U.S. agricultural imports, Mexican industry leaders have warned that the current proposal from the U.S. create a new tomato suspension agreement is unacceptable.

Commerce sets preliminary dumping margin of 25% on Mexican tomatoes
Commerce sets preliminary dumping margin of 25% on Mexican tomatoes

The Department of Commerce has announced a preliminary dumping margin of 25.28% on Mexican tomato imports following its investigation whether tomatoes from Mexico are being dumped into the U.S.

New Commerce proposal shows promise, Florida tomato group says
New Commerce proposal shows promise, Florida tomato group says

A new Department of Commerce proposal for a tomato suspension agreement with Mexican tomato growers is a “good starting point” to resume negotiations, according to the Florida Tomato Exchange.

Packer Insight  - Jason Klinowski talks Mexican tomato trade
Packer Insight - Jason Klinowski talks Mexican tomato trade

The Packer’s Editor Tom Karst talked with Jason Klinowski, agricultural and food law attorney on July 17.

Don’t jump to conclusions, Florida growers warn Mexico

As the high-stakes Department of Commerce dumping investigation continues on U.S. imports of Mexican tomatoes, advocates for both U.S. and Mexican tomato growers are making their cases in the court of public opinion.

Mexico tomato growers say data confirms no dumping in the U.S.
Mexico tomato growers say data confirms no dumping in the U.S.

Growers of Mexican tomatoes recently submitted data to the U.S. Commerce Department and groups representing them say the information shows they are not dumping tomatoes into the U.S.

Brighthouse doubles organic vegetable offerings

Brighthouse Organics, San Antonio, a greenhouse vegetable brand launched in 2017, has more than doubled the number of items it offers.

Oppy to feature OriginO greenhouse line at organic show

The Oppenheimer Group’s OriginO organic line, featuring tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers, will be showcased at the Organic Produce Summit.

Sunset label leads to global award for Yerecic Label

Yerecic Label, New Kensington, Pa., recently received the World Label Award for a label for the Sunset brand Campari tomato.

Packer Insight — Mexican tomatoes, CPS and giant produce displays
Packer Insight — Mexican tomatoes, CPS and giant produce displays

The Packer's editor Tom Karst and Produce Retailer editor Ashley Nickle discuss a few of the big topics of the week, from Mexican tomatoes to the Center for Produce Safety Symposium to a pair of giant produce displays.

Lacking new deal, U.S.-Mexico tomato trade adjusts to new normal

A new normal is taking hold for importers of Mexican tomatoes.

Updated Tomato Metrics outline food safety standards

The United Fresh Produce Association has released updated food safety audit standards for the fresh tomato supply chain.

Red Sun brings home trophy in United Way charity event

Red Sun Farms, Kingsville, Ontario, highlighted its Sweetpops tomatoes and Sweetpeps peppers at a recent United Way fundraiser that pairs local greenhouses with a chef and local student.

Western Costcos to promote Equitable Food Initiative produce

The Equitable Food Initiative is partnering with Costco Wholesale in California, Oregon and Washington to boost consumer awareness and sales of EFI-certified fruits and vegetables.

Mexican political leader speaks out for suspension agreement
Mexican political leader speaks out for suspension agreement

A leading Mexican politician believes the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement may be in trouble without a renewed tomato suspension agreement.

Mexico’s protected agriculture growth harms Florida, study says
Mexico’s protected agriculture growth harms Florida, study says

Ongoing investment in protected agriculture in Mexico will likely result in continued losses for the fruit and vegetable industry in Florida, according to a new report from the University of Florida.

Food safety truisms: trust, but verify
Food safety truisms: trust, but verify

With the perishable nature of fresh produce, strong buyer-supplier relationships are critical to successfully get our foods from field to table.

Sunset brands sweep cocktail tomato category
Sunset brands sweep cocktail tomato category

Mastronardi Produce’s Sunset brand swept the cocktail tomato category and racked up top honors in nine categories at the 12th annual Leamington Greenhouse Competition.

NatureFresh Farms earns popular vote for tomatoes
NatureFresh Farms earns popular vote for tomatoes

NatureFresh Farms received numerous awards at the Greenhouse Vegetable Awards at the Leamington Fair.

Tom Karst
Tale of the tape: changes in Florida and Mexican tomato shipments

 A simple inquiry — what has happened to fresh tomato shipments during the last decade, especially relative to Florida and Mexico?

U.S. grower payday from Mexican tomato duty?
U.S. grower payday from Mexican tomato duty?

A Federal Register notice raises the possibility that growers of tomatoes in Florida and other states stand to receive some of the proceeds of the 17.56% anti-dumping duties paid by U.S. importers of Mexican tomatoes. 

FPAA names tomato division chairman as Member of the Year

Jimmy Munguia, the chairman of the tomato division for the FPAA, has been busy in recent months supporting the group’s position in favor of keeping a tomato suspension agreement in place.

Wholesum's expansion to add organic beefsteaks

A new six-acre greenhouse expansion by Wholesum in Arizona will produce an estimate of 3.5 million pounds of organic beefsteak tomatoes.

Tennessee tomato grower forms partnership with Gargiulo Inc.

Smoky Mountain Family Farms, Newport, Tenn., has hired Jerry Simmons Jr. to handle on-site sales, and the company has formed a partnership with Gargiulo Inc., Naples, Fla.

Tomatoes 101
Tomatoes 101

Discover a variety of tomato information such as; consumer trends, retail availability and trending sales statistics.

New Mexican tomato proposal finds cool reception by Florida growers
New Mexican tomato proposal finds cool reception by Florida growers

Mexican tomato growers proposed a new tomato suspension agreement to the Commerce Department on May 22, but Florida tomato growers gave it an icy reception.

Mastronardi, AppHarvest bring 60-acre greenhouse to Kentucky

Kingsville, Ontario-based Mastronardi Produce and Morehead, Ky.-based AppHarvest are partnering to build a sustainable, high-tech 60-acre greenhouse in Morehead.

Hope fades for quick resolution as tomato lawsuits filed
Hope fades for quick resolution as tomato lawsuits filed

The possibility persists for a new tomato suspension agreement between the Commerce Department and Mexican growers, but hopes for a quick resolution have been doused.

NatureSweet asks for relief on Mexican tomato duty
NatureSweet asks for relief on Mexican tomato duty

Greenhouse grower NatureSweet is asking the Commerce Department for some exemptions on duties for its imported tomatoes grown in Mexico, on the basis they did not exist when those duties were originally set.

Mexican tomato growers reject U.S. proposal, file lawsuits
Mexican tomato growers reject U.S. proposal, file lawsuits

Mexican tomato growers have rejected the latest proposal from the Department of Commerce for a renewed tomato suspension agreement.

Amelia Freidline
Tomatoes: Fruit or vegetable?

“Well, you know, a tomato is actually a fruit, not a vegetable.”

It’s official: Commerce’s decision on Mexican tomatoes
It’s official: Commerce’s decision on Mexican tomatoes

The Department of Commerce’s official notice on its termination of a tomato suspension agreement with Mexico is scheduled to be published May 13.

West Mexico import veteran Al Bernardi remembered
West Mexico import veteran Al Bernardi remembered

Al Bernardi, who helped established a Nogales, Ariz., brokerage as the area became a key link to imported produce, has died.

Industry groups voice displeasure over tomato trade disruption
Industry groups voice displeasure over tomato trade disruption

With new duties on Mexican tomatoes entering the U.S., industry groups said negotiations between the Department of Commerce and Mexico’s tomato industry must continue.

Mexican tomato agreement done, duties kick in
Mexican tomato agreement done, duties kick in

The Department of Commerce has terminated the 2013 Suspension Agreement on Fresh Tomatoes from Mexico, setting a 17.56% duty on Mexican tomatoes arriving in the U.S.

U.S. set to drop Mexican tomato suspension agreement
U.S. set to drop Mexican tomato suspension agreement

The Department of Commerce will follow through on its plan to withdraw from an agreement with Mexican tomato growers, triggering a 17.56% duty on tomatoes from Mexico, according to a Mexican official.

Tom Karst
Tomato negotiations continue but end of agreement is reality

The Department of Commerce sent what one Florida source called a “new and constructive proposal” to Mexican tomato exporters on May 3.

Packer Insight — Talking tomato suspension agreement and food safety at Viva Fresh
Packer Insight — Talking tomato suspension agreement and food safety at Viva Fresh

SAN ANTONIO — Editor-in-chief Tom Karst and retail editor Ashley Nickle discuss some of the key education topics at the Viva Fresh Expo, including the tomato suspension agreement and food safety.

A panel of industry leaders at Texas International Produce Association’s Viva Fresh show said the industry should brace for potential disruptions and consolidation in the wake of those changes. Left to right Dante Galeazzi, president and CEO of the Texas International Produce Association,  Lance Jungmeyer, president of the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas,  Jason Klinowski, agriculture and food law attorney at Wallace Jordan Ratliff & Brandt LLC in Birmingham, Ala.,  and J.O. Alvarez, Jr., president of J.O. Alvarez Inc., Laredo, Texas.
Panel urges tomato industry to be prepared for disruptions

SAN ANTONIO, Texas - Painful changes are coming soon in how Mexican tomatoes are sold to U.S. importers.

Analysis: higher tomato prices if Commerce drops agreement
Analysis: higher tomato prices if Commerce drops agreement

Consumer prices for some tomato varieties from Mexico could initially rise 40% in the U.S. when domestic supplies are low, according to an analysis on possible effect of duties on imported tomatoes when the Tomato Suspension Agreement is dropped in early May.

Viva Fresh Expo features tomato agreement discussion
Viva Fresh Expo features tomato agreement discussion

Days before the Department of Commerce plans set to set aside its Tomato Suspension Agreement with Mexican growers, panelists at the Viva Fresh Expo will discuss the issue.

Village Farms add colorful spring recipes
Village Farms add colorful spring recipes

Village Farms is featuring two new spring-themed recipes, Hash Brown Egg Nests with Blistered Tomatoes and Stuffed Tomato Tulips.

Integrated Fresh Solutions promotes Bob Harper to COO
Integrated Fresh Solutions promotes Bob Harper to COO

Integrated Fresh Solutions, Swedesboro, N.J., has promoted Bob Harper to chief operating officer of Integrated Fresh Solutions (IFS) companies.

File photo
Florida tomato handlers propose ending weight certification

Florida tomato handlers have proposed ending formal certification of tomato carton weights to save money.

John Phipps: Why Growing Produce Imports Make the U.S. More Secure
John Phipps: Why Growing Produce Imports Make the U.S. More Secure

Americans are eating less produce, but this decline is largely driven by potatoes, orange juice and lettuce. Meanwhile we’re eating more variety. So, should you be concerned? John Phipps shares his thoughts.

The increasing imports of fresh fruits and vegetables is something John Phipps thinks is not only economically efficient, but helps strengthen international ties.
John Phipps: Why Growing Produce Imports Make the U.S. More Secure

Americans are eating less produce, but this decline is largely driven by potatoes, orange juice and lettuce. Meanwhile we’re eating more variety. So, should you be concerned? John Phipps shares his thoughts.