Tomato crisis hits Florida

2005-02-06 12:47

Miami - Millions of Florida tomatoes rot on the vine as growers cannot pick them, grocers ask princely prices, restaurants ration them and consumers refuse to buy them.

What began as a tomato scarcity after four hurricanes lashed Florida has become a glut, which motivated state officials to ask consumers to demand lower prices.

"There is no shortage of Florida tomatoes," said a full-page advertisement in Monday's Miami Herald signed by state agriculture commissioner Charles Bronson.

"However, consumers tell us some fast food and other dining establishments continue to perpetuate the 'tomato shortage' story.

"Some haven't returned tomatoes to their menus. Others are requiring that customers specifically ask for tomatoes, or have 'downsized' their tomato servings. This short-changes consumers," the ad said.

This, while 27 million kg spoil in fields of Florida, which provides 60-70% of US winter tomatoes.

The Florida Association of Fruits and Vegetables, which represents growers, said that supermarket tomatoes have jumped to $4 for half a kilo and restaurants serve them only to customers who ask for them.

However, despite sufficient supply, prices have not fallen. Producers blame distributors and grocers for keeping prices high, because consumers have adjusted - either by paying the higher price or not buying at all.

"Supermarkets are keeping the prices high because the consumers got used to paying those prices because of the hurricanes, and now the supplies have been normal for several weeks," said association spokesperson Ray Gilmer.

The pre-crisis tomato sold for $1.49 for half a kilo, Gilmer said.

By early January, in cities like Baltimore, Maryland, near Washington, a pound of tomatoes was priced at $2.99 and in New York, $3.49.

Let it rot

Many growers have cut their losses by letting their tomatoes rot, rather than hire workers to pick tomatoes they may not be able to sell, Gilmer said.

Two weeks ago, Bronson toured Florida's tomato fields and declared himself "shocked" to see so many left to seed.

Last week, growers gave away nearly a half a million kilos to soup kitchens.

Suffering, too, are the 10 000 to 20 000 immigrant workers idled by the crisis.

"Every day that goes by that workers don't get to pick tomatoes puts them further in the hole," said Barbara Mainster of the Redlands Christian Migrant Association in Immokalee, where three-quarters of the population is Latino.

"People forget that farm workers are the ones who can least afford to lose money during a market crisis like this," she said.

Lea Crusberg, spokesperson for the Florida Restaurant Association, said the group has advised its 10 000 members that there is no shortage and to buy tomatoes.

- SAPA