Contracted production of California processing tomatoes is forecast at a record high 14.0 million tons, averaging 48.61 tons per acre, according to a survey conducted by the National Agricultural Statistics Service. The current forecasted production is 17.6 percent above the 2013 crop, but unchanged from the May forecast.
Harvest started the last week of June in the Southern growing areas and is expected to run through mid-October. The 2014 crop year has had low disease and pest pressure. The primary issue affecting yield has been availability of water. The extreme drought in California has forced growers to fallow land and cut back on the acreage for many crops, but the impact on tomato acreage appears to be limited. The projected harvested acreage of tomatoes is 288,000 acres, a 12.5 percent increase from 2013.
The shipping reports published by the Processing Tomato Advisory Board show that shipments through August 23, 2014 are running 13.7 percent above that of 2013.
The full California Processing Report can be read here. (.pdf)