North American tomato supplies set to improve
Tomato supplies remain light as the transition of a number of growing regions takes place. In Mexico, the winter crop is nearing its end and in the US, Florida supplies are also waning before the spring crop starts. As a result, suppliers are feeling a tightness in the market.
"We still have some greenhouse tomatoes coming out of Sinaloa, Sonora, Puebla and generally the central parts of Mexico," said Alberto Sevilla of Bellflower Produce. "During April, we will see a transition to the summer crop, including San Luis Potosi, which is around seven to eight hours south of the US border. On our end, supplies are stable, but not as much as we would like. Cooler weather limited volume, but then we had a spell of warmer weather which pushed production higher for a while."
Sevilla added that he expects greenhouse volume to pick up in a few weeks once more districts start to come online. "There are a number of regions starting soon or have already started, including Canada," he said. "We have had lower volume the last three weeks but now we are starting to see an increase again."
Second year of year-round supply
For Bellflower Produce, the company is now entering its second year of year-round supply. The company grows Beefsteak, TOVs and Vine-ripened tomatoes with more expansion works in progress. "It's good news for us and we are really happy that we can be in the market year-round," Sevilla shared. "We currently have another 16 acres under construction as well as a number of new programs. We have also expanded our reach to include direct to retail customers. Our new Senior Director of Sales, Joshua Ehle, has been leading that effort."
As well as increasing its tomato production to span year-round, Sevilla said that Bellflower Produce is also experimenting with some new varieties, including new commodities. "We are currently testing some new products like cucumber and mini peppers, but our main income is still derived from tomatoes."
"We have to be well prepared when entering new markets like mini peppers," he continued. "It's generally better to have contracts already in place with customers before you start growing new products. It's very difficult to introduce a new item onto the open market and succeed."
For more information:
Alberto Sevilla
Bellflower Produce
Ph: +1 (956) 739-9345
jose.sevilla@bellflowerproduce.com
www.bellflowerproduce.com
"We still have some greenhouse tomatoes coming out of Sinaloa, Sonora, Puebla and generally the central parts of Mexico," said Alberto Sevilla of Bellflower Produce. "During April, we will see a transition to the summer crop, including San Luis Potosi, which is around seven to eight hours south of the US border. On our end, supplies are stable, but not as much as we would like. Cooler weather limited volume, but then we had a spell of warmer weather which pushed production higher for a while."
Sevilla added that he expects greenhouse volume to pick up in a few weeks once more districts start to come online. "There are a number of regions starting soon or have already started, including Canada," he said. "We have had lower volume the last three weeks but now we are starting to see an increase again."
Second year of year-round supply
For Bellflower Produce, the company is now entering its second year of year-round supply. The company grows Beefsteak, TOVs and Vine-ripened tomatoes with more expansion works in progress. "It's good news for us and we are really happy that we can be in the market year-round," Sevilla shared. "We currently have another 16 acres under construction as well as a number of new programs. We have also expanded our reach to include direct to retail customers. Our new Senior Director of Sales, Joshua Ehle, has been leading that effort."
As well as increasing its tomato production to span year-round, Sevilla said that Bellflower Produce is also experimenting with some new varieties, including new commodities. "We are currently testing some new products like cucumber and mini peppers, but our main income is still derived from tomatoes."
"We have to be well prepared when entering new markets like mini peppers," he continued. "It's generally better to have contracts already in place with customers before you start growing new products. It's very difficult to introduce a new item onto the open market and succeed."
For more information:
Alberto Sevilla
Bellflower Produce
Ph: +1 (956) 739-9345
jose.sevilla@bellflowerproduce.com
www.bellflowerproduce.com
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