Tomato Crop Can't Catch-Up To Prices

MIAMI (CBS4) - Pull into a drive-through at Wendy's or Checker's lately and you'll be greeted with a sign that if you want tomatoes, you have to ask for them.

The reason behind the change is because tomato prices are skyrocketing and may continue to rise until late March or mid-April. Cold weather in Florida, Texas, and Mexico is the culprit behind the tomato price increase.

Most varieties of tomatoes, including: regular, vine ripes, Roma, and cherry, have seen higher week-over-week retail prices, according to the National Fruit and Vegetable Retail Report.

And don't think that the problems will be limited to tomatoes. Other veggies like lettuce, cucumbers, and even peppers may prove tough to obtain and will cost more.

The prices for all vegetables should begin to come down in the next several weeks as crops begin to mature and replace those that were damaged by the colder than usual winter weather.

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