Tomatoes are common ingredients that appear in American foods, ranging from the ingredients of hamburgers to high-end dishes. But this agricultural price skyrocketed, becoming the latest U.S. consumer pressure.

According to the April price index, the tomatoes have increased 40% over the same 2025 period, beyond other foods such as coffee (0.18%), roast beef (0.17%), fish and frozen fish (0.6%).

Margain Edge, the company that watches the input price for restaurants, says that all tomatoes increase price, but the strongest is the marble tomatoes, to 65% in just one month. Wayne Humphrey, CEO of the Snarf's store chain in Colorado, Missouri and Texas, stated that the price of tomatoes had increased from $27 to 93 in a single year.

Chef Isaac Bernal Carbajo in New York remarked that the tomato has become the symbol of a much deeper problem, when "the simplest fun in life is also being the victim of the rising price wave.

"Even the purchase of fresh vegetables is becoming a serious financial decision for many families," he commented. In the meantime, businesses such as the Snarf's sandwich chain, where almost every sandwich has tomatoes, is suffering a substantial cost shock.

  • Tomatoes sold in a supermarket in New York on 26 March. Image: AP*

According to experts, in addition to plant productivity, the increase in the price of tomatoes stemmed from the Yuan policy and the battle with Iran. As a result, the U.S. withdrew from the agreement to allow the import of tax-free tomatoes from Mexico. When new imported tomatoes arrive at port, they suffer 17% of taxes. Taxation from tomatoes skyrocketed from 16.424 in 2024 to nearly $4.6 million, which was equivalent to 27.879%.

"The Yuan is clearly one of the largest incentives to increase prices. The U.S. is dependent on Mexico for much of the tomato supply, so any change in the trade policy also made a huge impact", Brett Massimino, Professor of Business at Virginia Commonwealth University, remarked.

In addition, the Middle East conflict pushed the price of fuel up and made the transportation cost soar. Mrs. Usha Haley, economist at Wichita State University, described this as "the perfect combination of trade policy, extreme weather and Middle East problem".

As tariffs and logistics are moved down gradually to the shoulder consumers, many hostile customers have filmed the video at vegetable counters, complaining the price of tomatoes has increased four times. Some even claim to plant themselves in the garden to avoid having to pay up to $8 per pound (0.45 kg).

Mr Phillip Coles, Professor of Management of the series at Lehiigh University, claimed that the price of tomatoes could be reduced by the end of the year, when the domestic harvest began. The price, he said, would encourage farmers to expand their farming area. "But this process takes time due to the delay in production," he said.