W3 Tomato Update: Russia and Peru Encounter Tomato Production Challenges, While the UK Grapples With a Record Price Surge

Russia Resolving Tomato Seed Shortage

Russian authorities are addressing concerns of a seed shortage, particularly affecting tomatoes, onions, and carrots, at both regional and federal levels. The Ministry of Agriculture collaborates with domestic companies to reduce reliance on foreign seeds, promoting locally bred varieties. A major tomato producer, the Astrakhan region has contracts for 87% of the total required seeds, expressing confidence in timely field work. The head of the National Union of Fruit and Vegetable Producers confirms a positive situation, anticipating a robust harvest satisfying domestic and export needs. Despite challenges discussed in a meeting with the Ministry of Agriculture, proactive measures and collaborations are expected to ensure a successful planting season by the end of Mar-24. The shortage, particularly in Astrakhan, is attributed to a ban on Dutch tomato seeds due to quarantine concerns.

Tomato Rugose Fruit Virus Detected in Central Peruvian Coast Fields

First observed in the Middle East in 2014, ToBRFV has raised global concerns in the agricultural community. In Peru, researchers from the National University Toribio Rodríguez de Mendoza, the José Faustino Sánchez Carrión National University, and the National Institute of Agrarian Innovation (INIA) have used molecular tools to identify the presence of the Tomato Brown Rugose Tomato Fruit Virus (ToBRFV) in commercial fields on Peru's central coast. Presented at the 3rd International Electronic Conference on Plant Sciences, the study also reports the presence of the Peru Tomato Mosaic Virus (PToMV) in the same area. The findings will equip farmers and industry professionals with essential tools for strategic crop decisions and contribute to genetic improvement programs aiming to develop tomato varieties with increased tolerance or resistance to these viruses in the Peruvian coastal region.

UK Faces Record Surge in Tomato Prices

In recent years, tomato prices in the United Kingdom (UK) have experienced a significant surge. Contrary to expectations of a decrease, experts predict further increases, contributing to a year-on-year (YoY) inflation rise to 4%. The cost of tomato production has risen by 38.5% YoY since 2022. British tomato farmers are facing skyrocketing costs for energy, packaging, and labor. Independent retailers are now grappling with selling tomatoes at a loss due to the drastic increase in prices. Higher energy prices, soaring fertilizer costs, and expensive seeds contribute to the challenges faced by producers. The demand remains high despite a drop in home-produced fruits' volume, down by 11% YoY from 2020, and reduced planting, leading to increased prices. Independent retailers are unable to transfer all costs to consumers and are absorbing losses. Supermarkets such as Tesco have also seen rising tomato prices, with the cost of Nightingale Farms cherry tomatoes reaching a record USD 3.52 per kilogram (kg) in Dec-23, up 5.3% YoY from the previous year. The overall outlook suggests a prolonged period of higher tomato prices in the UK.