2010 United States tomato shortage

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The 2010 United States tomato shortage was a shortage of tomatoes in the United States between March and April 2010 caused by unseasonably cold weather in Florida in January 2010 which destroyed 60-70% of the state's tomato crop. [1] There was also a shortage of tomatoes over the new year holiday, caused by the Californian harvest finishing before the Florida harvest began. [2]

The shortage caused several fast food chains to stop offering tomatoes unless requested [3] [4] and supermarkets rationed their supplies. [5]

Prices for tomatoes in the Eastern United States reached prices several times the cost prior to the crop loss. [5] [6] Wholesale prices rose from around $7 for a 25 lb box to $30. [7] During the shortage, more tomatoes were imported from Canada [8] and Mexico. [5]

The total cost of the cold weather to Florida tomato producers was approximately $150 million, according to USDA calculations. [5]

The tomato shortage came to an end around late April 2010, as crops had recovered. [6]

See also

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References

  1. Ellis, Blake (March 11, 2010). "Fast food chains face tomato famine". CNNMoney.com. Archived from the original on 13 March 2010. Retrieved 2010-04-16.
  2. Carol Reiter (January 11, 2010). "Tomato price appears to come back down to earth". Merced Sun-Star. Archived from the original on September 10, 2012. Retrieved October 21, 2010.
  3. Katherine Scott (March 9, 2010). "Tomato shortage hitting restaurants, stores". WPVI-TV. Archived from the original on 11 March 2010. Retrieved 2010-04-16.
  4. Stefano Esposito (March 4, 2010). "Feeling the squeeze: Fresh tomatoes are in short supply". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on April 13, 2010. Retrieved 2010-10-19.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Scott Killman & Julie Jargon (March 3, 2010). "Tomatoes Get Sliced From Menus". The Wall Street Journal . Retrieved 2010-10-19.
  6. 1 2 Stephanie Barry (April 21, 2010). "Tomato shortage coming to an end". MassLive.com . Retrieved 2010-10-19.
  7. Monique Beech (March 22, 2010). "Tomato shortage to help Niagara greenhouses". St. Catharines Standard. Archived from the original on September 28, 2011. Retrieved 2010-10-21.
  8. "Canada helping ease US tomato shortage". Foodnavigator-usa.com. March 17, 2010. Retrieved 2010-10-21.