According to the USDA's NASS report, contracted production for California processing tomatoes is forecast at 11.3 million tons, averaging 50.0 tons per acre. The current production forecast is 12 percent below last year’s contracted production of 12.8 million tons, and 2 percent below the May forecast. The projected harvested acreage of tomatoes grown under contract is 226,000 acres, down 11 percent from 2023.
Mild spring temperatures and adequate water provided tomato growers with favorable planting conditions and a good start to the developing crop. However, extremely high temperatures throughout the summer and into harvest has negatively affected yields. There were concerns regarding curly top virus detected in the San Joaquin Valley, but no significant damage was reported.
The processing tomato harvest began the first week of July in the southern Central Valley and progressed to the northern counties by the middle of August. Harvest is expected to finish in October, significantly earlier than last year. Quality is reported to be fairly good for the early crop, but the impact of the heat waves on late season plantings is uncertain.
The Processing Tomato Advisory Board published shipments through August 24, 2024, showing a 29% increase compared to this time last year. However, shipments were significantly behind schedule in 2023 because the crop was delayed. Current shipments compared to the halfway point of last year indicate a decrease of 12%.
This processing tomato estimate is funded by the California League of Food Producers.
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