2010 United States tomato shortage

The 2010 United States tomato shortage was a shortage of tomatoes in the United States between March and April 2010 caused by unseasonably cold weather in Florida in January 2010 which destroyed 60-70% of the state's tomato crop.[1] There was also a shortage of tomatoes over the new year holiday, caused by the Californian harvest finishing before the Florida harvest began.[2]

The shortage caused several fast food chains to stop offering tomatoes unless requested[3][4] and supermarkets rationed their supplies.[5]

Prices for tomatoes in the Eastern United States reached prices several times the cost prior to the crop loss.[5][6] Wholesale prices rose from around $7 for a 25 lb box to $30.[7] During the shortage, more tomatoes were imported from Canada[8] and Mexico.[5]

The total cost of the cold weather to Florida tomato producers was approximately $150 million, according to USDA calculations.[5]

The tomato shortage came to an end around late April 2010, as crops had recovered.[6]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Ellis, Blake (March 11, 2010). "Fast food chains face tomato famine". CNNMoney.com. Archived from the original on 13 March 2010. Retrieved 2010-04-16.
  2. ↑ Carol Reiter (Jan 11, 2010). "Tomato price appears to come back down to earth". Merced Sun-Star. Retrieved 2010-10-21.
  3. ↑ Katherine Scott (March 9, 2010). "Tomato shortage hitting restaurants, stores". WPVI-TV. Archived from the original on 11 March 2010. Retrieved 2010-04-16.
  4. ↑ Stefano Esposito (March 4, 2010). "Feeling the squeeze: Fresh tomatoes are in short supply". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 2010-10-19.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Scott Killman & Julie Jargon (March 3, 2010). "Tomatoes Get Sliced From Menus". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2010-10-19.
  6. 1 2 Stephanie Barry (April 21, 2010). "Tomato shortage coming to an end". MassLive.com. Retrieved 2010-10-19.
  7. ↑ Monique Beech (March 22, 2010). "Tomato shortage to help Niagara greenhouses". St. Catharines Standard. Retrieved 2010-10-21.
  8. ↑ "Canada helping ease US tomato shortage". Foodnavigator-usa.com. March 17, 2010. Retrieved 2010-10-21.


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