2010 United States tomato shortage

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

References

  1. ^ Ellis, Blake (March 11, 2010). "Fast food chains face tomato famine". CNNMoney.com. http://money.cnn.com/2010/03/09/news/economy/tomato_shortage_fast_food/. Retrieved 2010-04-16. 
  2. ^ Carol Reiter (Jan. 11, 2010). "Tomato price appears to come back down to earth". Merced Sun-Star. http://www.mercedsunstar.com/2010/01/11/1266684/tomato-price-appears-to-come-back.html. Retrieved 2010-10-21. 
  3. ^ Katherine Scott (March 9, 2010). "Tomato shortage hitting restaurants, stores". WPVI-TV. http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/consumer&id=7321961. Retrieved 2010-04-16. 
  4. ^ Stefano Esposito (March 4, 2010). "Feeling the squeeze: Fresh tomatoes are in short supply". Chicago Sun-Times. http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/food/2083156,CST-NWS-tomato04.article. Retrieved 2010-10-19. 
  5. ^ a b c d Scott Killman & Julie Jargon (March 3, 2010). "Tomatoes Get Sliced From Menus". Wall Street Journal. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704548604575097950250670456.html. Retrieved 2010-10-19. 
  6. ^ a b Stephanie Barry (April 21, 2010). "Tomato shortage coming to an end". MassLive.com. http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2010/04/tomato_shortage_coming_to_an_e.html. Retrieved 2010-10-19. 
  7. ^ Monique Beech (March, 22, 2010). "Tomato shortage to help Niagara greenhouses". St. Catharines Standard. http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?archive=true&e=2499913. Retrieved 2010-10-21. 
  8. ^ "Canada helping ease US tomato shortage". Foodnavigator-usa.com. March 17, 2010. http://www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Financial-Industry/Canada-helping-ease-US-tomato-shortage. Retrieved 2010-10-21.