Tomato

The tomato is a widely popular and versatile food that varies in shape, size and color. By definition, tomatoes are a fruit (the edible part contains the fruit), but they are also commonly referred to as a vegetable. Tomatoes have a subtle sweetness that is complemented by a slightly bitter and acidic taste.

The United States is one of the largest producers of tomatoes in the world, ranking second only to China. Within North America, Mexico and Canada are also important suppliers of fresh tomatoes . Fresh Del Monte sources tomatoes mainly from the United States, Mexico and Canada. Based on USDA statistics, annual per capita consumption of fresh tomatoes in the United States has increased by 8.6% over the past decade to approximately 20 pounds per person. Based on a US industry publication, fresh tomatoes remain a top performer for food retailers, generating approximately 6.8% of a retailers produce sales.