Demand for Roma and round tomatoes is shifting to Mexico due to the damage Hurricane Milton caused in Florida. Expect higher markets over the next month. Markon First Crop (MFC) Tomatoes are available; packer label may be substituted in some instances.

Round

• East Coast production is extremely limited due to past hurricanes
  • Growers have enacted Act Of God clauses
  • Florida’s Ruskin/Palmetto region has very few salvageable supplies that are best suited for processing
  • The South Florida season is expected to start in late December
• Mexican markets are expected to rise next week due to reduced availability and increased demand
  • 4×5 packs are exceptionally tight
  • Baja growers have begun harvesting limited supplies; however, overall acreage is down
  • Crops from Central and Eastern Mexico (crossing into Sout Texas) are in seasonal decline; production will end in late November
  • The main Culiacan growing season, which has avoided severe weather so far, is expected to begin in late December
  • Expect higher pricing over the next two weeks

Roma

• East Coast stocks are extremely snug
  • Production is winding down in Georgia and Quincy, Florida this week
  • The Ruskin/Palmetto region has extremely low volume dominated by small sizes and No. 2 grade fruit
  • The South Florida season will start in late December
  • Expect limited availability and higher markets over the next five weeks
• Growers will continue steady/light harvesting out of Central Mexico and the Baja Peninsula over the next month
  • Central Mexico is past peak production; quality is fair
  • Baja growers have transitioned to newer fields; however, overall acreage is much lower during winter months
  • Roma prices are slightly higher but much lower than markets for rounds this week
  • Markon recommends substituting Romas for round tomatoes for the next six weeks, if possible

Grape & Cherry Varieties

• Grape tomato supplies are tightening
• Florida growers have ended harvesting in Ruskin/Palmetto due to heavy damage caused by Hurricane Milton; expect extremely limited stocks until the South Florida season starts in three weeks
• Suppliers are starting fall harvests in Baja; cool weather has slowed production
• Volume is moderate in Central Mexico; quality varies by grower and lot
• Expect higher prices next week

Please contact your Markon Account Manager for more information.

©2024 Markon Cooperative, Inc. All rights reserved.