Maitland, FL – The Florida Tomato Committee (FTC) will hold a virtual meeting on Wednesday, May 10, for tomato producers to nominate fellow growers or themselves to serve on the committee for a two-year term, from September 2023 to September 2025. The FTC is a federal marketing order that regulates the handling of Florida tomatoes and supports the industry …
Low Supply and High Prices for Florida Tomatoes
By Clint Thompson Tomato prices are high right now for producers. They should be able to take advantage for a couple of more weeks, if they have a crop. “If” is the operative word, because supply is low. Bob Spencer, president of West Coast Tomato in Palmetto, Florida, attributes the low supply to the Christmas freeze event. Growers experienced significant bloom drop, …
Low Supply, High Prices for Tomatoes
By Clint Thompson Tomato prices are high right now for producers. They should be able to take advantage for a couple of more weeks, if they have a crop. “If” is the operative word, because supply is low. Bob Spencer, president of West Coast Tomato in Palmetto, Florida, attributes the low supply to the Christmas freeze event. Growers experienced significant …
Facing Tomato Disease Throughout South Florida
One tomato disease remains prevalent in South Florida, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Target spot (Corynespora cassiicola) is being observed at moderate to high levels in tomato fields across the region. It is also extremely high in older plantings in fields on the east coast. Target spot symptoms can be confused easily with bacterial spot and early …
On Target: Tomato Disease Increasing in South Florida
One tomato disease remains prevalent in South Florida, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Target spot (Corynespora cassiicola) is being observed at moderate to high levels in tomato fields across the region. It is also extremely high in older plantings in fields on the east coast. Target spot symptoms can be confused easily with bacterial spot and …
Target Spot Disease Increasing in South Florida Tomatoes
Target spot disease is increasing in tomatoes in southwest Florida, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. The disease has reached moderate to high levels in multiple fields. The disease is also reported to be observed at a high incidence rate in Homestead, Florida. Producers should be wary that target spot is frequently misdiagnosed and can be confused …
Florida Tomato Industry Pioneer Paul DiMare Passes Away
On Dec. 30, Paul J. DiMare passed away at the age of 81. DiMare had served as president of DiMare Fresh, a Florida-based company which grew into one of the nation’s top tomato producers. He moved to Florida in the 1960s to oversee the tomato growing and packing business started by his father and uncles. Over the years, DiMare made …
Florida Tomato Legend Paul DiMare Passes Away
On Dec. 30, Paul J. DiMare passed away at the age of 81. DiMare had served as president of DiMare Fresh, a Florida-based company which grew into one of the nation’s top tomato producers. He moved to Florida in the 1960s to oversee the tomato growing and packing business started by his father and uncles. Over the years, DiMare made …
Bacterial Spot Disease Intensifying, Spreading Across Florida Peppers, Tomatoes
Bacterial spot disease has been observed in multiple locations across South Florida. The weather has attributed to the disease increasing and intensifying in some vegetable crops. According to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline, dense fog and isolated rain events led to disease development. Bacterial spot is moderate to high in tomatoes and peppers across south Florida. Bacterial spot …
Tomatoes Fetching Strong Prices
By Clint Thompson Tomato prices remain high for those vegetable growers who actually have a crop. A lack of supply following Hurricane Ian has aided in prices exceeding $30 per box, according to Bob Spencer, president of West Coast Tomato in Palmetto, Florida. He said Florida production is half of what it should be. Growers are still a month away from production normalizing itself. …