TOMATO/CEPEA: Prices Fluctuate in Producing Regions

The University of São Paulo's research center, CEPEA, reported fluctuating tomato prices across Brazil's main producing regions last week. Specifically, prices for long-life 3A tomatoes saw an increase in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro markets. Researchers from CEPEA's Horticulture team attributed this rise primarily to the nearing end of the first phase of the winter harvest in Sumaré (SP) and Paty do Alferes (RJ). In these areas, the marketed produce typically consists of smaller quality and caliber fruits, representing the tip-end fruits from the close of the winter crop's initial phase. Conversely, tomato prices experienced a decline in Belo Horizonte and Campinas. The CEPEA Horticulture team explained that this drop was due to an increased volume of tomatoes supplied from the Carmópolis and Pará de Minas (MG) regions. Furthermore, the availability of field tomatoes originating from the Cristalina (GO) region also contributed to the boosted market supply, consequently exerting downward pressure on prices.