What's New
Current Market Conditions
09/08/2010
The tomato market seems more active during the last couple of days, while the supply remains irregular at best.
The volume available from the east has been affected in all areas. Michigan, Tennessee, New Jersey and even North Carolina are looking at shorter seasons this summer, and the eastern shore is winding down much earlier than normal.
The transition to the Florida’s growing areas may be disrupted by light supply to start in Quincy and reports show that bacteria may be more pronounced due to the rain fall, sustained during planting and setting of the fields. Central Florida is expected to have first picking in late October but volume will not come until November.
Cool temperatures in California, continue to slow fruit down and availability has been reduced greatly, particularly with higher demand from the east.
Roma, grape and cherry tomatoes are tight and supply is expected to be light for one to two more weeks, including the crossings from Mexico, since their national market is very good and growers are selling at good prices south of the border. Quality is good but some areas might vary depending on the shipper.
Did you know?
Tomato juice is the official state beverage of Ohio. Arkansas' official state vegetable is the vine ripe pink tomato (of South Arkansas).
There are at least 10,000 varieties of tomatoes (from the small marble-sized cherry one to the Ponderosa, which can weigh over three pounds).
The jelly-like substance around the seeds contains the highest concentration of vitamin C.
The smallest tomato species are less than three-quarters of an inch in diameter. There are yellow and red varieties.
Botanically, tomatoes are actually a fruit. This is because, generally, a fruit is the edible part of the seed containing the seeds, while a vegetable is the edible stems, leaves, and plant roots. But in 1863 the Supreme Court ruled that tomatoes were to be considered vegetables.
The tomato is the world's most popular "fruit" (See the abovementioned); more than 60 million tons are produced each year. This is 16 million more tons than the banana, the second most popular. The third most popular are apples (36 million), then oranges (34 million), and watermelons (22 million).
The early American colonists regarded the tomato as poison because it's related to the deadly nightshade plant (but so is the potato!). Colonel Robert Gibbon Johnson stood on the steps of the Salem, New Jersey courthouse in 1820 and ate a tomato-and then a few more-without any adverse effects, to the town's amazement.
from associated contect website
