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]
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]