Hurricane Helene has impacted the Tennessee and Carolina tomato crops, tightening overall supplies. Demand will shift to the West Coast and Mexico this week as Eastern growers recover from the storm. Markon First Crop (MFC) Tomatoes are available.

East Coast

• Southeast growing regions were impacted by Hurricane Helene
  • Eastern Tennessee, Western North Carolina, North Georgia, and Western South Carolina had over 14 inches of rain and major flooding in the fields resulting in major crop damage
  • South Georgia and Florida received heavy rains and wind; however, the fields faired well and are in good shape for the fall tomato crop
• Some harvesting delays are occurring as fields are draining and drying up
• Markets are anticipated to increase over the next week as Eastern Coast fields recover from the storm

California

• Growers in the San Joaquin Valley are harvesting their last Roma fields; volume is average
  • Quality is average due to previous heatwaves
  • Round tomatoes are a bit tighter
• The Hollister season is finishing up this week
• Los Banos fields will ship stocks over the next two weeks

Mexico

• Central/Eastern Mexican round and Roma growers are seeing a wide range of quality and price levels due to previously poor weather
• The Baja region (crossing in Otay Mesa, California) will produce sufficient volume through October, weather permitting
• Grape and cherry tomato yields are steady; quality is average

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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