The holiday weekend could shift prices on imported tomatoes for the week following July Fourth, if only for a few days. With consistent production coming out of Mexico, prices before the holiday were steady, and it's likely pricing will be that way after any blip early this week.“The market can go up or down,” said Sam Capin with Delta Fresh Produce, which brings in Mexican tomatoes through McAllen, Texas. “It being a holiday weekend, people don't work on that holiday Monday, so it depends on how much production shows up on Tuesday.” There's a bit of a dark period over the weekend, so prices will depend on how fast brokers want to move tomatoes through the system early in the week.
“If there's a lot of product, people might want to sell low just to get those tomatoes out of their hair,” Capin explained. “But there will be a stronger market if there's not a lot available.” On July 1, prices for a two-layer 4x4 carton of adapted environment tomatoes from Mexico were mostly between $8.95 and $9.95 at Texas crossings.
“Everyone buys for the holiday,” said Capin. “With the markets quiet on Monday, prices will just depend on what's on the floor Tuesday.”
For more information:
Sam Capin
Delta Fresh Produce
+1 520 281 4444