Tomatoes

Revised May 2024

Introduction

A native to South America, the tomato was spread around the world following the Spanish colonization of the Americas. The early history of the tomato in the United States was characterized by the colonialist belief that the brightly colored fruit was poisonous. By the time commercial production began in the mid-1800s, the tomato was well established as a popular produce item in the American diet and is consumed in diverse ways, including raw, as an ingredient in many dishes and sauces, and in drinks. Tomatoes are the second most consumed vegetable in the U.S, behind potatoes. In 2023, fresh market and processed consumption was 20.3 pounds and 73.3 pounds per capita, respectively. The U.S. tomato processing industry, comprised primarily of tomato pastes, sauces and canned tomato products, is distinctly separate from the fresh-market industry. Tomatoes have significant nutritional value; they are a good source of vitamin C, vitamin A and antioxidants.

Marketing

The marketing methods of the two industry segments differ. The majority of fresh tomatoes are handpicked and sold on the open market, while all processed tomatoes are mechanically harvested and sold under contract, with only 1 percent sold on the open market.

Production

Fresh-market tomatoes are produced in every state, with commercial-scale production in about 20 States. Florida edged out California as the largest producer, which is likely due to the ongoing drought in California where production has dropped in the last few years. Florida and California together comprise over two-thirds of total U.S. fresh-tomato acreage. 

In 2023, the U.S. production value of tomatoes for fresh market amounted to approximately 715.63 million U.S. dollars. Processors estimate that the contracted production for 2023 will come from 248,000 acres, generating an average yield of 50.0 tons per acre.

Tomatoes are warm-season crops and are sensitive to frost at any growth stage, so field planting in temperate climates occurs after the threat of frost is past in the spring or transplants are planted and grown under row covers in late spring. Tomatoes produced in temperate climates are also grown in greenhouses and under plastic covered high tunnels to extend the production season. The emergence of greenhouse tomato production has begun to change the shape of the U.S. fresh-market tomato industry. Greenhouse tomato production allows producers to grow fresh tomatoes in structures, sometimes using methods of climate control and alternative soils. Advantages of greenhouse production include uniform appearance and quality, consistency in production, increased yields per acre and enhanced grower capability to sustain year-round production. In 2023. In California, around 263.7 million cwt (hundredweight) of tomatoes for fresh market were produced that year. In terms of global vegetable production, tomatoes were ranked among the leading types.

Resources and References

• Market Report Generator, Iowa State University Extension.
• 2023 California Processing Tomato Report, 2023
• Major Tomato Producing States, 2023.
• Vegetables 2020 Summary, NASS USDA. 2020.
• Production of Greenhouse Tomatoes, Florida Greenhouse Vegetable Production Handbook, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, reviewed 2008.
• Vegetables 2020 Summary, NASS USDA. 2020.