Tomato producers say worms are no longer a threat and product prices are stabilizing

The Santa Cruz Fruit Growers and Horticulturists Association (Asofruth) said that the tomato borer is no longer a threat to the product. The National Agricultural Health and Food Safety Service (Senasag) reported that The pest has affected 150 hectares of tomatoes in Myraná and Pampa Grande, in the municipality of Santa Cruz.

Nué Morón, president of Asofruth, recalled that the borer was the primary reason for the increase in tomato prices in the supply center of Santa Cruz province.

“Producer They lost up to 75% of their production Because of this, tomatoes (prices) have gone up. Besides the risks posed by frost and drought at the beginning of the year, which caused production delays,” said Moron.

He added that the cost of the products has come down, for example, a box of tomatoes now costs between 70 and 60 pesos, depending on the type of tomatoes the buyer is looking for.

Last month, the Eastern Agricultural Chamber (CAO) released a price report on May 27, showing the evolution of tomato prices in the Abasto wholesale market and the Abasto retail market.

According to this data, A 20-kilogram box of apple tomatoes (the largest) costs 180 pesos. On May 24, the same product cost Dh160. At the second market retailer, Abasto, it was sold at Dh18 per kilogram, while seven days ago the product cost Dh16.