Tomatoes
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Tomatoes for the program, which includes vine-ripened rounds, romas and mature greens, are produced year-round in two regions in Mexico.
NatureSweet’s Cherub tomatoes are being highlighted as the ideal summer salad partner with Barilla’s Protein+ Cellentani pasta.
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.
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.
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.
The company says the packaging change reduces plastics use by 25% and that it hopes to roll it out for other pints by the end of the year.
The bio-engineered purple tomato from Norfolk Healthy Produce will soon reach retail shelves, says Harold Paivarinta, senior director of sales for Red Sun Farms.
The USDA is extending the public comment on regulatory policy options to control the spread of the Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV).
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.
The 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. Comments on the proposal can be submitted until April 8.
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.
The Sunshine State accounted for about 56% of total domestic fresh round tomato truck shipments, according to the USDA’s annual shipment summary.
What happens when Dog the Bounty Hunter, agriculture, tomatoes, pickles, worms, survival bunkers, miracle juice, and a bizarre flimflam man get dumped in cauldron? Welcome to a swindle and chase for the ages.
USDA reports that total U.S. tomato imports of Mexican tomatoes totaled $2.7 billion in 2023, up from $2.47 billion in 2022.
Upstream Biotechnology will partner with Bene Seeds to create heirloom tomatoes with excellent shelf life and disease resistance.
USDA trade numbers show Mexico accounted for 91% of total U.S. fresh tomato imports in 2023.
The limited-time, red-and-green snacking medley features sweet red Cherubs and floral green grape tomatoes.
U.S. imports of greenhouse-grown organic bell peppers from November 2023 to October 2024 were up 52% from the same period the previous year.
With plenty of fruits and vegetables heading to the U.S., companies spoke with The Packer about crop quality and program outlooks.
The new on-the-vine tomato launched late last year and is already driving strong results in its retail debut, the company says.
The Kingsville, Ontario-based grower will debut the tomato medley, which will feature sweet to savory flavors, at the Southeast Produce Council’s upcoming Southern Exposure show.
A research team at the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is using smart sprayers for herbicide applications in tomatoes planted with plastic mulch.
The company’s peel-back shaker snacking tomato clamshell design is inspired by the structure of a greenhouse.