Although the supply of Tomatoes on the Vine (TOV) started out slow due to cloudy and rainy weather during the first few months of the season, it has since been moving at a steady pace. Not only production, but also consumption had a slow start because of weather this year. “Fortunately, it progressed throughout the season and consumption numbers are making up for it now,” said Mitchell Amicone, Account Manager at AMCO Produce.
Installation of lights
Usually, TOV production continues through mid-November. “This year however, is the first year we will be producing year-round,” said Amicone. AMCO Produce is in the process of installing 6,000 High Pressure Sodium lights. These lights will cover approximately 135,000 tomato plants or one-third to half of the company’s production. The lights will be switched on as needed, but will allow production to continue throughout the winter.
Locally grown impacts pricing
“TOV prices held up pretty well during the season, but are not at the best levels right now,” mentioned Amicone. “This time of the year, a lot of locally grown as well as home-grown tomatoes are available and we are starting to see that effect. This usually lasts for about a month.” By mid to end-September, Amicone expects prices and movement to be driven up in a positive way.
Organic certification
In product development, AMCO is in the process of getting an organic certification for their TOV’s. The certification process takes about eight months and the company hopes to receive its certificate within the next few weeks. Conventional TOV’s will still be part of AMCO’s line of products as well.
