By Clint Thompson The impact of the termination of the Tomato Suspension Agreement will not be fully realized for another couple of months, according to one industry leader. Robert Guenther, executive vice president of the Florida Tomato Exchange, said that when the calendar turns to 2026 is when the tomato industry should see the full effect of the agreement’s termination …
AFBF Economist Discusses Impact of Tomato Suspension Agreement’s Termination
By Clint Thompson The U.S.-Mexico Tomato Suspension Agreement’s official termination in mid-July has already impacted tomato prices and the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Danny Munch, an economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), discussed the Consumer Price Index and its impact during an interview with AgNet Media at last month’s Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo in Tampa, Florida. He …
UF/IFAS Specialist Provides Tomato Breeding Update
By Clint Thompson Tomato breeding research remains vital to the long-term sustainability of the industry in Florida. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) tomato breeder Jessica Chitwood-Brown provided an update for growers during the Florida Tomato Conference on Sept. 4. She emphasized the importance of grower interaction and learning what qualities are needed, such as fusarium …
Registration Ongoing for Florida Tomato Conference
By Clint Thompson Registration remains open for the Florida Tomato Conference, scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 4 at the John Boy Auditorium in Clewiston, Florida. The event is free for all employees of Florida tomato growers, packers, sponsors, presenters and university affiliates. Other attendees are charged $50. Participants must select the sessions they plan to attend. Early registration will close on …
Tomato Leader: Immediate, Long-Term Impacts From Suspension Agreement Termination
By Clint Thompson The termination of the U.S.-Mexico Tomato Suspension Agreement will have immediate and long-term impacts on the tomato industry. Robert Guenther, executive vice president of the Florida Tomato Exchange, described what he envisions the ramifications will be following last week’s historic decision. “I think as we move from summer into the fall, winter season, I think what you’re …
Agreement Terminated: Florida Tomato Exchange Applauds Historic Decision
By Clint Thompson The U.S.-Mexico Tomato Suspension Agreement was officially terminated on Monday. The controversial agreement failed to stop Mexican tomato companies from dumping their product into the U.S. market. Its termination also led the Trump administration to impose a 17% antidumping duty on more than $1 billion of tomato imports from Mexico. The Commerce Department’s decision to terminate the …
Bacterial Spot Observed in Alabama Tomatoes
By Clint Thompson Alabama vegetable growers must be aware that bacterial spot disease has been observed in tomatoes in South Alabama. Ed Sikora, professor and Extension plant pathologist in the department of entomology and plant pathology at Auburn University, discussed the disease and its propensity to becoming widespread. “One (disease) I saw down in the Wiregrass is bacterial spot. It’s …
Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Tomato Field Day Covered Wide Range of Production Topics
By Frank Giles In mid-May, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center hosted a tomato field day to showcase research being conducted at the facility. The event was well attended, filling up several wagon loads of people who made their way through six field stops that focused on nematodes, tomato …
Florida Tomato Conference Slated for Sept. 4
By Clint Thompson Florida tomato growers can mark their calendars for Thursday, Sept. 4. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and the Florida Tomato Committee will present this year’s Florida Tomato Conference at the Clewiston John Boy Auditorium in Clewiston, Florida. The program will start at 9 a.m. and conclude at 5 p.m. The Florida Tomato …
Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Termination of Tomato Suspension Agreement a Victory
By Clint Thompson The termination of the United States-Mexico Tomato Suspension Agreement is a win for the domestic industry and should increase domestic production across the country. That’s the hope shared by Robert Guenther, executive vice president of the Florida Tomato Exchange. It was announced on April 14 that the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) terminated the 2019 United States-Mexico …
















