A combination of conditions and circumstances has resulted in what we hope is a temporary increase in tomato prices. That’s a shame – because so many of us use them, in so many ways, every day. But fear not… You can become tomato-independent by growing your own…
Beautiful, fresh, meaty, vine-ripened Roma tomatoes… From your window box!
Situation Report…
As of the writing of this post, tomato prices have increased in many supermarkets across North America. They’re out-of-season here in the Great White North, except for greenhouse ‘specials’. And many regions in central and Eastern US also rely on southern and southwestern crops to supply them three quarters of the year.
Tasting Table reports that we may be facing a serious tomato shortage due to a ‘perfect storm’ of economic, climate and supply issues:
“Import tariffs, climate change, and the war in Iran have created a perfect storm of problems, and tomatoes appear to be caught right in the middle of it.”
The nitty-gritty
Trump tariffs have caused the largest portion of the rise in Tomato prices that have been climbing since the beginning of this year. By the end of April, retail tomato prices were higher than they had been in a decade. And prices are expected to keep rising on toward the end of this year.
Trump’s tariffs on Mexican products have had a significant impact. That’s because the US and Canada get most of their imported tomatoes from Mexico.
Another trigger for soaring tomato prices is the ongoing economic uncertainty surrounding the US war with Iran. Oil prices have gone crazy, and that affects all aspects of the global economy.
And… Weather patterns have been getting more and more extreme in areas where the conditions used to be regular and predictable. Like Mexico.
Everyone their own ‘Cavalry’
It used to be a rule in classic western movies that, when the settlers, or the ‘lost patrol’ were sur-rounded by ‘savages’ and about to perish, that The Cavalry would ride in a rescue them.
In the war against high tomato price, you are your own Cavalry.
Reduce tomato use
You can end-run the price hikes by at least temporarily rotating tomato-based dishes out of your weekly meal planning routine. It’s not as hard as it may sound – even if you’re Italian and are used to having tomatoes in some form at almost every meal… And a little variety will do anyone a world of good.
Shop the sales
I was privileged to be present in the produce section of my6 g0-to supermarket, recently when a rare but welcome manager’s special ‘switched on’. Two separate functionaries in the Department had both ordered blueberries from different suppliers. They all arrived at the same time. And the boss decided to ‘clear’ one brand at half price, before they went bad. I asked about it. It happens fairly frequently, though not regularly, with other ‘soft’ fruits and veggies – notably tomatoes.
Grow your own!
It’s simple, satisfying and confidence to cultivate a little self-sufficiency by growing your own herbs and tomatoes. Romas (see photo, top of page) and Cherry Tomatoes, particularly, grow well in window boxes and pots.
I large planters I use for tomato culture’ which can be placed on the patio in summer and brought inside in the fall. There are tomato varieties that are ‘ever-bearing’ and will provide fresh, vine-ripened fruit year-round.
I found a really comprehesive post on growing tomatoes indoors. By the time I got to end of it, I couldn’t think of any questions the author hadn’t already answered.
My take
There’s no reason to knuckle under to high tomato prices. There’s a solution out there that fits every need and circumstance. Just DO IT!
~ Maggie