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2010 United States tomato shortage

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Shortage of tomatoes in the United States between March and April 2010
2010 United States tomato shortage
TimeMarch 2010–April 2010
Duration1 month
LocationUnited States
CauseCold weather in Florida
Outcome
  • Restaurants limit use
  • Supermarket rationing
  • Price increase

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. There was also a shortage of tomatoes over the new year holiday, caused by the Californian harvest finishing before the Florida harvest began.

The shortage caused several fast food chains to stop offering tomatoes unless requested and supermarkets rationed their supplies.

Prices for tomatoes in the Eastern United States reached prices several times the cost prior to the crop loss. Wholesale prices rose from around $7 for a 25 lb box to $30. During the shortage, more tomatoes were imported from Canada and Mexico.

The total cost of the cold weather to Florida tomato producers was approximately $150 million, according to USDA calculations.

The tomato shortage came to an end around late April 2010, as crops had recovered.

See also

References

  1. Ellis, Blake (March 11, 2010). "Fast food chains face tomato famine". CNNMoney.com. Archived from the original on 13 March 2010. Retrieved 2010-04-16.
  2. Carol Reiter (January 11, 2010). "Tomato price appears to come back down to earth". Merced Sun-Star. Archived from the original on September 10, 2012. Retrieved October 21, 2010.
  3. Katherine Scott (March 9, 2010). "Tomato shortage hitting restaurants, stores". WPVI-TV. Archived from the original on 11 March 2010. Retrieved 2010-04-16.
  4. Stefano Esposito (March 4, 2010). "Feeling the squeeze: Fresh tomatoes are in short supply". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on April 13, 2010. Retrieved 2010-10-19.
  5. ^ Scott Killman & Julie Jargon (March 3, 2010). "Tomatoes Get Sliced From Menus". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2010-10-19.
  6. ^ Stephanie Barry (April 21, 2010). "Tomato shortage coming to an end". MassLive.com. Retrieved 2010-10-19.
  7. Monique Beech (March 22, 2010). "Tomato shortage to help Niagara greenhouses". St. Catharines Standard. Archived from the original on September 28, 2011. Retrieved 2010-10-21.
  8. "Canada helping ease US tomato shortage". Foodnavigator-usa.com. March 17, 2010. Retrieved 2010-10-21.
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