Taylor says that good season in Mexico the US and Ontario have brought about a surplus of stock, driving prices down as much as 40%. over 70% of Ontario tomatoes are shipped to the US.
To Southern Ontario the greenhouse vegetable business is worth around $700 million per annum, of which 40% is down to tomatoes.
"Whereas last year there was freeze and cool weather in the southwest (U.S.) and Florida, this year they had really excellent conditions — Mexico, California, Florida, the Carolinas — and of course we had good growing conditions for greenhouse vegetables," Taylor said. "There is much more supply than last year and that obviously put pressure on the prices."
As is often the case with such circumstances, the growers are trying to adapt as best they can to deal with the situation.
"We are looking at expansion of markets (elsewhere) . . . and other varieties that might have potentially a slightly different market," Taylor said.
