US (CA): Tomato growers optimistic
This year there are 260,000 acres under contract and total production has been estimated at 12.9 million tons - a million up from last year.
Adding to the goods news, for California at least, is that crops are not looking so good in other parts of the world - which should set up some good export opportunities.
"The world crop is down about 2 million metric tons from last year. This will reduce world inventories," says Mike Montna, president and CEO of the California Tomato Growers Association. "World consumption is continuing to increase, so there will be export opportunities for California moving forward."
California farmers will earn $69 per ton of processing tomatoes this year, compared to $68 per ton last year.
"Overall, it is a slight increase over last year, and recognizing market conditions and growers' cost increases, it was a fair and reasonable compromise," Mr. Montna says.
Source: www.centralvalleybusinesstimes.com
