The combined light supplies from Florida and Mexico pushed F.O.B. prices to nearly double the previous week. A strong market such as this will usually attract higher amounts of Mexican grown tomatoes during this part of the season. The question now is if the Mexicans will keep their restrictions until the end of their main season, approximately the end of April, when supplies are usually winding down. Another question is how retailers and food service buyers will fill their demand now that they are faced with a low supply of fresh tomatoes. For example, some restaurants might substitute cherry tomatoes for round tomatoes in salads.
Retailers can increase their demand for greenhouse tomatoes to supplement their tomato category.
Suppliers from Holland and Israel may benefit from this. In the meantime, the International Trade Commission will have to make a decision on the Florida law suit. Many people will be waiting for the outcome with great interest. Another meeting between the representatives of both Mexican and Florida growers is likely to take place in the next couple of weeks. It will be interesting to know the outcome.