Tomato crops have been at their peak for about three weeks for grower and tomato marketing company Flavorite, yielding around 850,000kg per week. “We grow a 32 hectare crop of tomatoes, and volumes have increased from Flavorite, Smorgans and Tomato Exchange,” says Flavorite National Business Manager Sam Kisvarda. Crops were a little later than expected over recent months, he adds. “Due to low light across winter growing schedules have been affected.”
Prices have also stabilized, on par with last year at $2 to $2.50 per kg, after a drop during the colder months. “Prices have been considerably lower this winter/spring on previous years due to the perfect growing conditions in field crops,” says Mr Kisvarda.
The main varieties being grown in large size truss on the vine, and smaller ones in cocktail and loose cherry, according to Mr Kisvarda, but 2016 will see Flavorite introduce some new varieties, designed to satisfy consumers who are more particular, looking for different options when selecting tomatoes for different purposes.
There have not been any issues as far as growing conditions are concerned for crops coming out of Victoria, and weather has been kind in that state, however extreme heat in South Australia has had a significant impact, Mr Kisvarda says. “South Australia has been hit hard with the hot weather causing quality issues.”
For more information
Sam Kisvarda, National Business Manager
Flavorite
Phone:+61383725610
Website: www.flavorite.com.au