Hurricanes including Charley and Francis, which hit Florida in August and September, forced many of the state's tomato farmers to replant crops that were expected to be sold in November and December, according to Gary Lucier, an economist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
As a result, tomato prices in October have risen 167 percent to about $15 for a 25-pound box, Lucier said.
To make matters worse, heavy rain in California this week flooded the state's tomato crops, halting harvests and threatening to put the brakes on a deal, which began last Saturday, for California growers to supply McDonald's restaurants in Japan.
"I have one supplier that's trying to continue but I have two others that can't supply them at all," said Ed Beckman, president of the California Tomato Commission, a trade group for tomato farmers.
But while consumers may not feel the brunt of the tomato shortage while dining out, they are certain to be paying more in supermarkets.
It isn't just the tomatoes either. The damage to Florida's crops from the hurricanes this year will be about $3 billion. Florida lost about half if its grapefruit crops, and about 20% of its oranges. Overall, Florida supplies about 75% of the nations grapefruit, and 50% of the oranges. Those prices have been going up for a while. However, tomatoes are used for a hell of a lot more than the citrus products. I bet Italian and Mexican restaurants will be feeling the pinch the most. When they feel the pinch, so does your wallet.
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