Introduction

Michelle Le Strange, Farm Advisor, Tulare & Kings Counties

Processing tomatoes are one of the state's most important crops in value and acreage. California accounts for about 90% of total U.S. production and 50% of world production. This industry is also one of the largest, most dynamic and most complex in CA agriculture, and like many ag commodities it is currently facing some issues that will impact its future.

While the industry has expanded considerably in the past 20 years, serious threats to CA competitiveness continue to increase. In recent years operation costs are higher due to labor, energy costs and regulatory compliance, which decrease profit margins. The CA advantage has been a dependable supply of high quality fruit coupled with high yields, but productivity is improving among world producers. A number of processing plants in northern CA have closed or moved southward into the San Joaquin Valley. New opportunities arise for growers in Fresno, Kern and Kings counties, but to be viable and competitive each farming operation must be efficient and make knowledge-based decisions.

A goal of UC Cooperative Extension is to assist industry to improve production efficiency and product quality. Farm advisors and specialists conduct research projects in many facets of production, pest management, and postharvest quality and offer educational programs via industry meetings, field days, and workgroup activities. The processing tomato workgroup within UC Ag and Natural Resources (ANR) has been active in addressing a multitude of industry concerns for many years, one of which is the annual variety evaluation program. Varieties are compared side-by-side at multiple sites as part of a statewide program with input from university personnel, processors, and seed companies with the objective of identifying dependable, higher yielding and higher quality varieties. The CA Tomato Research Institute, CA League of Food Processors, Processing Tomato Advisory Board, CA Tomato Growers Association and the Processed Tomato Foundation support UC programs. We encourage industry to continue participating in these organizations to keep CA competitive in a global market.

This newsletter was compiled to provide information to the processing tomato industry in the South San Joaquin Valley. The statewide variety report for 2001 is available online through UC Vegetable Research and Information Center. Pest and pest management information is available through UC Integrated Pest Management. If you have specific questions, please call one of your local Farm Advisors.

Processing Tomato Acreage, Average Yield, and Value in California

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