Seeking Innovation and New Opportunities in a Competitive Market

Jim Rogers Tomatoes, Trade

By Frank Giles Michael Schadler, executive vice president of the Florida Tomato Exchange, discusses how the season has progressed and ongoing trade issues with Mexico. How has the tomato season gone thus far for Florida growers? Schadler: The start of the season was tremendously challenging for much of the industry due to Hurricane Ian. The fall crop in parts of Central …

Tomato Season Update

Jim Rogers Tomatoes

By Clint Thompson Tomato season has all but finished for the year in Florida, while South Georgia’s season is beginning to ramp up. Michael Schadler, manager of the Florida Tomato Committee and executive vice president of the Florida Tomato Exchange, discusses the current production and market facing Southeast producers. “The South and Central Florida season is effectively over. North Florida and …

Florida Tomato Leader: We’re Just Trying to Hang on Here

Jim Rogers Exports/Imports, Florida, Tomatoes

By Clint Thompson On the surface, an oversupply of Florida tomatoes helped lead to suppressed prices for the industry. However, one industry leader stresses that supply still pales in comparison to previous seasons. “Look at what’s happened to our industry over the last one to two decades. An industry gets beaten down over a couple of decades and you have …

fresh ripe read and orange tomatoes with green twig on yellow background

Improved Prices for Florida Tomatoes

Jim Rogers Agri-business, Florida, Tomatoes

By Clint Thompson The prolonged period of decreased prices for Florida tomatoes may be nearing an end. Growers should be encouraged by an uptick in prices in recent weeks. Michael Schadler, manager of the Florida Tomato Committee and executive vice president of the Florida Tomato Exchange, describes the change in momentum that has shifted in producers’ favor. “A month ago, …

Florida Tomato Expert: Production High, Prices Low

Jim Rogers Florida, Tomatoes

By Clint Thompson Almost perfect weather conditions for Florida production of tomatoes should have had most growers reaping the rewards by now. But that’s not the case, due in large part to a multitude of factors, says Michael Schadler, manager of the Florida Tomato Committee and Executive Vice President of the Florida Tomato Exchange. “The weather throughout the Florida growing …