Ketchup, salsa and pasta sauce could soon be in short supply across the country.
California grows the majority of America’s processing tomatoes, and farmers there are being hit hard by the drought yet again. According to the latest drought monitor, the state is completely covered in shades of red and orange, meaning conditions range from severe to exceptional drought. Almost half of the state is considered to be in extreme drought.
One farmer in the area said he has had to fallow 15 percent of his tomato crop due to the lack of rainfall the past few years. He says there has not been a good tomato crop since 2018, and he expects crops will be short again this year.
To add to that dwindling crop, thousands of tomatoes were left covering a highway in California after a tomato truck crashed. CNN says the tomato truck driver lost control and hit another car before crashing into the median, which then resulted in a series of crashes after one car got stuck in the tomatoes. Transportation staff worked for hours to clear the mess.
Related:
It’s all about supporting tomatoes from the “ground up”
California Farmer: Looking for more drought-tolerant options
Price Tag of California’s Extended Drought
Story via Zoe Sottile with CNN
