Tariffs, Extreme Weather, and War Drive High Tomato Prices
April 24, 2026 
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Tomato prices are higher than ever.
Following a 6% increase in February, March saw a 15% spike in prices for fresh tomatoes, according to the consumer price index. Meanwhile, looking at data from the past year, tomato prices are up 23% over the past year.
Unfortunately, a turnaround isn’t expected soon. “I do expect there’s more pain on the horizon for tomato prices,” Ricky Volpe, an agribusiness professor at California Polytechnic State University, told CNBC.
Why Have Tomato Prices Spiked?
Tariffs, particularly tariffs on Mexican imports, are one of the primary factors regarding high tomato prices.
Tomatoes are one of the most commonly consumed vegetables in the U.S., with imports accounting for the majority of tomato sales (70%) compared to those locally grown. In fact, according to a 2025 article on The Conversation, tomatoes often rank first or second for U.S. fresh produce imports from foreign countries. Ninety percent of that comes directly from Mexico.
While many agricultural products have been made exempt from tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, tomatoes, among some other specialty crops, have not been selected to receive an exemption.
For additional information on soaring tomato costs, including a look at energy and weather impacts on tomato prices, you can read the original article on the CNBC website.