Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleInflation Tomatoes (Local Library)Tomato prices in the U.S. have surged by approximately 40% over the past year, making them the fastest-rising food product and a symbol of America's escalating cost of living. Experts attribute this dramatic increase to a confluence of factors, including trade policy changes, the conflict in Iran, which has led to higher shipping costs, and extreme weather. A significant driver was the U.S. withdrawal from a deal allowing duty-free imports of tomatoes from Mexico, which supplies the majority of America's tomatoes, resulting in a 17% tariff. Federal data indicate that U.S. tariffs collected on tomatoes skyrocketed from $16,424 to nearly $4.6 million, a staggering 27,879% increase, with these costs passed on to consumers and businesses. The price surge has severely impacted businesses, with restaurants facing high additional costs for tomatoes, and has led to widespread consumer outrage over quadrupled prices. In fullTrump’s trade wars turn tomatoes into luxury items with some stores selling a box for $93Thank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

Prices for tomatoes are up 40% over the past year, the biggest increase tracked among products in the Consumer Price Index.

Prices for tomatoes are up 40% over the past year, the biggest increase tracked among products in the Consumer Price Index

One single ingredient that's used on burgers, pizza, ketchup and more, now costs Americans more than $1.7 million in annual spend.

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or…

Prices for tomatoes are up 40% over the past year, the biggest increase tracked among products in the Consumer Price Index.

Experts point to several factors, from tariffs to weather, behind the rapid price increase in the humble tomato.

The $93 case of tomatoes is breaking the sandwich business and turning into a margin killer as tariffs, war, and supply shocks push prices up.