U.S. Tomato Prices Surge 40%, Box Now Costs $93 as Tariffs on Mexican Imports Bite

U.S. tomato prices jumped 40% over the 12 months through May 2026, the steepest increase among all food items, with a wholesale box reaching $93 from $27 a year earlier, as tariffs and logistics costs hit the staple ingredient. The surge followed the U.S. exit in July 2025 from a duty-free agreement with Mexico, the dominant supplier, triggering a 17% tariff. Federal data show tomato import duties skyrocketed to nearly $4.6 million from just $16,000 in 2024. Rising oil prices linked to Iran tensions further pushed up freight costs. The spike has squeezed restaurant margins—Snarf’s, a chain, now spends over $1.7 million more annually on tomatoes—while some consumers report retail prices up to $8 per pound, turning a pantry staple into a costly purchase.