NOGALES, AZ - It is no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic created major transformations within the retail sector, causing unexpected fluctuations across several categories. The Fresh Produce Association of the Americas (FPAA) has released data gathered through a research project with The Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at the University of Arizona that reveals how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the fresh tomato industry.

The research project, commissioned by the FPAA, offers insight to changes within the fresh tomato market including shipment volumes, shipping point prices, and retail prices, according to a press release. The project also provides insight to how supply and demand trends were affected in 2020 during the peak of shutdowns as a result of the pandemic.

One significant finding shows that consumers had a clear preference for vine-ripened tomatoes when purchasing patterns bounced back after the lockdowns in March 2020.

The FPAA has released a storymap reflecting all the collected data which includes a timeline of events as well as various graphs that reflect tomato shipment volumes throughout the pandemic. There will also be a presentation to review the gathered information during the FPAA’s Tomato Week.

The association will continue this effort to collect data surrounding the impact of the recent pandemic on the tomato category. To view the storymap, click here.

Keep reading AndNowUKnow to stay up to date on all things happening within the ever-changing fresh produce industry.

Fresh Produce Association of the Americas