The USDA forecasts a 12% decrease in California's processing tomato production in 2024, with an anticipated output of 11.3 million tons, down from 12.8 million tons in 2023. This decline is attributed to extreme summer heat, which has reduced average yields to 50.0 tons per acre and led to a 11% decrease in acreage. Despite challenging conditions, early harvests have shown good quality. However, the impact of heat on later plantings is still uncertain. Additionally, the industry faces challenges such as the potential threat of the curly top virus in the San Joaquin Valley.