The USDA has announced a proposed rule that would raise the assessment rate for tomatoes grown in Florida from 2.5 cents to 3.5 cents per 25-pound carton.
The proposed rule would implement a recommendation from the Florida Tomato Committee, according to a Federal Register notice. Comments on the proposal can be submitted until April 8 to MarketingOrderComment@usda.gov or via regulations.gov.
The notice said the proposed rule would increase the assessment rate for Florida tomatoes handled under the Order from 2.5 cents per 25-pound container or equivalent, the rate that was established for the 2017-2018 and subsequent fiscal periods, to 3.5 cents per 25-pound container or equivalent for the 2023-24 and subsequent fiscal periods.
The Florida Tomato Committee met Sept. 30 and recommended the increase then, the notice said. Increasing the assessment rate would allow the committee to replenish and maintain their financial reserves at the desired level of $250,000, the notice said.
The committee also unanimously recommended 2023-24 fiscal period expenditures of $1.15 million, similar to $1.16 million the previous year.
The committee projects handler receipts of approximately 22 million 25-pound containers or equivalent of assessable Florida tomatoes for the 2023-24 fiscal period, an increase from the 21.8 million containers handled for the 2022-23 fiscal period.
Major expenditures recommended by the committee for the 2023-24 fiscal period include $350,000 for research; $340,000 for education and promotions; and $277,393 for management and staff, the notice said.
There are 38 handlers of Florida tomatoes subject to regulation under the order and approximately 50 producers of Florida tomatoes in the production area, the release said.
