Tomato markets are rapidly increasing as Hurricane Milton heads towards the main growing regions in Florida; elevated markets can be expected through the end of the year as a result. Markon First Crop (MFC) Tomatoes are available.

East Coast

• Hurricane Milton’s (category three) current trajectory in Florida is forecast to directly impact the Ruskin/Palmetto growing region
• Ruskin/Palmetto was expected to start harvests next week, but early expectations in this region will be a complete loss
• Ruskin/Palmetto normally has a six-week window (mid-October to the end of November) before the winter transition to Immokalee
• Florida tomato production is split between three main regions
  • 15% North Florida (Quincy)
  • 35% Central Florida (Palmetto/Ruskin)
  • 50% South Florida (Naples/Immokalee)
• More updates will follow over the next week once the storm passes and suppliers evaluate field conditions
• Georgia and Northern Florida have light yields after the effects of Hurricane Helene
• Suppliers in North Carolina are cleaning up remaining late summer crops; large sizes are limited
• Markets are rising this week; steep increases are expected over the next six weeks until mainland Mexico crops start in mid-December

California

• Growers in the San Joaquin Valley are slowing down and are expected to finish over the next two weeks.
• Quality is average; smaller sizes and No. 2 specs are most common
• Round tomatoes are very snug

Mexico

• Demand for Mexican tomatoes will increase drastically as demand shifts from the East to the West Coast
• Central/Eastern Mexican round and Roma supply is light/steady, but increased demand is pushing prices higher
• The Baja Peninsula has transitioned to their fall crops; larger sizes are becoming more available for rounds and Romas
• The Mexico mainland season (Sinaloa/Culiacan) starts in mid-December; market relief isn’t expected until then
• Grape and cherry tomato prices are expected to increase due to severe weather along the East Coast

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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