Wholesale tomato prices rise sharply

Wholesale tomato prices have risen sharply over the past week, according to surveys by Hortifrúti/Cepea. In São Paulo, the value of Longa Vida 3A increased by 27.9% over the previous period, with the product priced at R$ 72/box. In Rio de Janeiro and Belo Horizonte (MG), the averages were R$ 75/box (+15.3%) and R$ 76/box (+52%), respectively. Researchers from Hortifrúti/Cepea explain that the increases in quotations have been the result of the slowdown in harvesting and the proximity of the end of the winter crop season in some producing areas, such as Itaocara (RJ) and São José de Ubá (RJ), which are expected to offer the last fruits at the end of this month. In Minas Gerais, the regions of Pará de Minas, Araguari, and Pimenta also already offer a smaller volume of tomatoes to wholesalers. Meanwhile, in São Paulo, the Sumaré market has started the harvest of the second part of the winter crop, with a small portion of tomatoes ...