In one of the most challenging years in recent memory, global processors successfully wrapped up a tumultuous season with 38.54 million mT produced. While this number represents a 2.1% drop from the original forecast, it also demonstrates an increase in overall global production of 3.1%, compared to 2019.
Another year of tomato harvest has concluded in California, and the only thing typical about it was that it was atypical. We could characterize it as a season with multiple high heat periods capped off with smoke-filled skies from the California wildfires that raged the last half of the season.
In many countries, it is difficult to have a precise prediction of the 2020 crop; however, we can look at several indicators to determine increases or decreases in production.
California processing tomato production is forecasted at 12 million tons. This forecast is down 100 thousand tons from last
year’s January initial forecast of 12.1 million tons following a 2019 harvested crop of slightly under 11.2 million tons. The 2020 production is to come from an estimated 235 thousand acres, generating an average yield of 51.1 tons per acre.
Morning Star continuously strives to innovate and expand our operations to ensure we meet customer demand in the most efficient and cost- effective means possible.
Estimates have begun rolling in for production levels in 2017. The AMITOM (Mediterranean Association of Tomato Processors) should come in as the leading group at 16.5 million metric tons (mT). Italy leads that production with an estimated 5 million mT for the season and Spain remains the second-largest producer at 3.2 million mT.
I was searching for economist roles on various job boards after completing graduate school and stumbled upon The Morning Star Company. I was intrigued by the position summary, so I researched the company’s website and submitted an application after thinking it would be an interesting place to work.
A message from our Morning Star colleagues as we head into the 2020 processing season in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are all staying safe and preparations are underway to ensure our tomato ingredient products are produced on schedule for our customers.
Everyone is familiar with what a tomato plant looks like, but have you ever wondered what it takes to grow that plant and the red ripe tomatoes we harvest from it for your ketchup, pasta sauces, salsas, and so much more? California Masterplant and The Morning Star Company do. Check out this sneak peek inside our greenhouse operation as our colleagues take you on the journey from seed to seedling.
Before the 2019 season began, Morning Star Colleagues undertook a project to resettle a 1922 Ford Model T from the Sacramento Valley Museum, where it had been on loan, to our Northern California equipment facility. Big thanks to Trevor Breckenridge, Joe Dillard, Christian Orozco, and Brian Hagle for their efforts to bring this classic home!
In 1995, our Morning Star factory in Williams, CA was up and running. What many people don’t know about are the battles undertaken behind the scenes in order to successfully get the largest processing factory in the world on its feet in time for the season. This particular factory was constructed in record time, with groundbreaking in February 1995 and processing starting on August 1, 1995. The original processing capacity was 350 tons/hour, designed to reach 500 tons/hour. Williams now holds the title of the highest capacity processing facility in the world at over 1300 tons/hour.
The first three weeks of the season showed promise with volumes similar to 2018; however, there were only four weeks in total in which deliveries reached the 1 million ton mark, even with the season extending to November 5.
The 2019 international crop represents a 7% increase from the 2018 crop. While final figures accurately reflect intentions set at the beginning of the year, weather and disease during the season caused forecasts to waver and fall. However, despite the setbacks, producers were nearly able to meet the original intention of 37.5 million mT.
