Tomato Prices in the United States from 2020 to 2025

Retail Prices (Field-Grown Tomatoes, USD per Pound)

Retail prices for fresh, field-grown tomatoes are reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and reflect what consumers pay in grocery stores.

• 2020: The average retail price was approximately $1.85 per pound. This year saw stable pricing despite disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic, as demand for fresh produce remained consistent.
• 2021: Prices rose slightly to around $1.91 per pound, driven by increased production costs and supply chain challenges.
• 2022: The price dipped to about $1.85 per pound, reflecting a stabilization in supply as weather conditions in key states like California improved.
• 2023: Prices increased to $1.99 per pound, influenced by higher farm-level costs and steady consumer demand.
• 2024: Based on trends and preliminary data up to late 2024, prices likely hovered around $2.00–$2.05 per pound, with seasonal increases in early 2025 (e.g., January 2025 reported at $2.05 per pound per FRED data).
• 2025 (Projection): Forecasts suggest a modest increase to approximately $2.10–$2.20 per pound, assuming a 3.3% rise in food-at-home prices as predicted by the USDA Economic Research Service. This reflects ongoing inflationary pressures and potential tariff impacts on imported tomatoes from Mexico.

Import Prices (USD per Ton)

The U.S. imports a significant portion of its tomatoes, primarily from Mexico, and these prices are tracked in tons.

• 2020: The average import price was $1,590 per ton ($1.59 per kg), up from $1,340 in 2019, reflecting a tightening of supply early in the pandemic.

• 2021: Prices stabilized at around $1,600 per ton, with a peak of $1,710 per ton in some months due to strong export demand from Mexico.

• 2022: Prices rose to approximately $1,700 per ton, driven by increased Mexican production (1.81 million metric tons exported to the U.S.).

• 2023: Import prices reached $1,569 per ton, a 16% jump from 2022, due to higher production costs and favorable trade conditions.

• 2024: By September 2024, prices dropped to $1,599 per ton (a 5.8% decrease from August), indicating a flat trend with fluctuations (e.g., a peak of $2,039 per ton in January). The yearly average likely settled around $1,600–$1,650.

• 2025 (Projection): Prices could rise to $1,700–$1,800 per ton if proposed tariffs on Mexican tomatoes (e.g., 20.91% as considered by the U.S. Department of Commerce) are implemented, increasing costs for importers and potentially shifting demand to domestic sources.

Export Prices (USD per Ton)

U.S. tomato exports, primarily to Canada, are a smaller but relevant market segment.

2020: The average export price peaked at $1,710 per ton, a 16% increase from 2019, reflecting strong demand.

• 2021: Prices dropped slightly to $1,650 per ton as export volumes stabilized.

• 2022: Prices remained around $1,650 per ton, with exports totaling 195,000 tons.

• 2023: The average export price was $1,642 per ton, showing little change from the prior year.

• 2024: Prices likely stayed near $1,650–$1,700 per ton, with a reported September drop to $1,885 per ton (down 12.1% from August) suggesting seasonal variation. The annual average should align with 2023.

• 2025 (Projection): A slight increase to $1,700–$1,750 per ton is plausible, assuming steady demand from Canada (95% of U.S. tomato exports) and no major disruptions.

Fresh Market Prices (USD per Cwt)

Fresh market prices per centum weight (cwt, or 100 pounds) reflect grower-level pricing, particularly in states like California.

• 2020: The U.S. average was around $45 per cwt, with California at $50 per cwt.

• 2021: Prices increased to $47 per cwt nationally, supported by higher yields.

• 2022: The national average was $46.80 per cwt, with California steady at $50 per cwt.

• 2023: Prices likely rose to $48–$50 per cwt, though exact figures are incomplete, reflecting stable production.

• 2024: Preliminary data suggests prices held at $50 per cwt in key regions, with potential increases late in the year due to weather impacts.

• 2025 (Projection): Prices could reach $52–$55 per cwt, driven by tighter domestic supply and tariff-related shifts away from imports

Key Trends and Factors (2020–2025)

2020–2021: Prices rose due to pandemic-related disruptions, higher input costs, and stable demand for fresh and processed tomatoes. 2022–2023: Stabilization occurred as supply chains adjusted, though retail and import prices crept up with inflation. 2024: Fluctuations reflected seasonal patterns and weather impacts, with import prices peaking early and declining later. 2025: Projections indicate modest increases across all metrics, influenced by:

• Inflation: USDA forecasts a 3.4% rise in overall food prices.

• Trade Policy: Potential tariffs on Mexican tomatoes could raise import costs, boosting domestic prices.

• Weather: Adverse conditions in California or Florida could tighten supply.

• Demand: Steady consumer preference for fresh and processed tomatoes supports price growth.