Florida’s Tomato Production Remains Strong Despite Hurricane Ian

Published 2022년 10월 31일

Florida's tomato supply is set to remain strong despite the damage caused by Hurricane Ian on the state's agricultural production. Most of Florida's tomato crop is grown in the North, where the hurricane had minimal impact, leaving crops in that region largely intact. Along with California, Florida is one of the two leading tomato producers in the country. The damage to the tomato crop varies based on the location and intensity of storm conditions. One of the factors that contributed to the healthy tomato crop is the post-hurricane weather in the region. Weather conditions have been cool and dry, ideal for tomato production, allowing farmers to recuperate fields.

Florida's tomato supply is set to remain strong despite the damage caused by Hurricane Ian on the state's agricultural production. Most of Florida's tomato crop is grown in the North, where the hurricane had minimal impact, leaving crops in that region largely intact. Along with California, Florida is one of the two leading tomato producers in the country. Therefore, a good harvest bodes well for the country's processed tomato products, such as tomato paste and ketchup.

The damage to the tomato crop varies based on the location and intensity of storm conditions. The storm had minimal impact on tomato farms in North Florida, and volumes could remain steady from now through mid-November. However, considering all parts of the state, Florida's November harvest will fall slightly short of the previous year's levels due to the impact of Hurricane Ian. In November, harvesting will commence in South and Central Florida, causing supplies to be lighter than usual due to the damage around the Ruskin and Palmetto growing areas. Production in South and Central Florida is forecast to increase in December, allowing Floridian volumes to remain steady as the year wraps up.

One of the factors that contributed to the healthy tomato crop is the post-hurricane weather in the region. Weather conditions have been cool and dry, ideal for tomato production, allowing farmers to recuperate fields. As a result, those farms that sustained damage will be able to salvage a significant portion of their crop. The storm was less impactful in the Southwest Florida growing regions around Immokalee and Naples, which will help offset the low volumes in Central Florida. Tomato production in Southwest Florida is set to steadily increase from December into Q1 2023. South Florida's winter tomato crop plantings have also proceeded according to plan with no impact from the hurricane.

The quality of Florida's tomatoes is high and similar to recent years, with 85% graded at U.S. No. 1 or better. Tomato processing is also expected to continue without much interruption, and volumes could be similar to last year's.

Due to the recent storm in Florida, the October harvest opened to bullish market prices. Floridian tomatoes ranged from USD 20 to USD 25 throughout the month. Industry experts expect prices to remain high in November as volumes could drop slightly.

Growers are also paying particular attention to diseases that were present in the field before the storm, as these will likely be more widespread due to the wind-driven rains.