Tomatoes spike on weather, tariffs and fuel costs squeezing supply

Weather-driven crop shortfalls in Florida and Mexico, plus high diesel and fertilizer costs and a 17% tariff on Mexican tomatoes, have tightened US supply and driven prices higher. March tomato prices rose 15.3% month-over-month and are 22.6% higher than a year ago, while store shelves show tomatoes around $2.25 per pound (the highest in eight years). Farmers warn relief hinges on new crops coming in the next two weeks, with some growers shifting to greenhouse production in Canada to hedge against weather; costs for freight and packaging, fueled by high oil prices, are also a factor.