Californian Tomato Farmers Facing Declining Yield and Profits in 2022

California is the leading producer of canned and processed tomatoes in the USA. The 2022 crop was 13% lower than the previous year's crop due to water shortages, and despite the high prices in 2022, it was not enough to offset rising input costs. Some US growers are considering switching their tomato crops for 2023 to a less water-consuming crop with higher earning potential. If declining yields continue, the price of canned and processed tomatoes will increase in grocery stores and commercial kitchens. In W44, the contract price growers offered to processors for tomatoes was USD 105/ton.