Nearly 70 percent of the Florida tomato harvest has been destroyed this year, according to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), and this has led to prices rising as high as $40 for a 25-pound case in some parts of the country, as about three-quarters of US tomatoes are produced in Florida. This time last year, a case of tomatoes was selling for around $6.45.
However, the freeze has mainly affected the availability and quality of tomatoes used in restaurants, food service and sold at retail, rather than those processed for use by food manufacturers, which have different qualities and are generally sourced from California.
And it is expected that tomato prices will drop next month as Florida’s tomato farmers harvest a new crop.
According to the USDA, tomatoes were the biggest seller of the $10.4bn worth of fresh vegetables produced in the United States last year, with $1.4bn worth coming from Florida.