Vine tomatoes, also known as truss or cluster tomatoes, tend to cost more than regular slicing tomatoes at the grocery store. There are a few key reasons why vine tomatoes command a higher price.
More Labor Intensive to Grow
One of the main reasons vine tomatoes are more expensive is that they require more labor to grow. Vine tomatoes grow on long stalks with multiple branches that can each hold over a dozen tomatoes. These long vines need to be staked or trellised to prevent the tomatoes from touching the ground and rotting. It takes more time and effort to properly trellis vine tomatoes versus growing bush or determinate varieties that don’t require staking.
In addition, vine tomatoes often require more pruning and maintenance than other tomato varieties. The suckers or side shoots need to be pruned regularly so the plant’s energy goes towards fruit production rather than excessive foliage growth. With determinate tomatoes, minimal to no pruning is required. The extra pruning and staking work associated with vine tomato production translates into higher labor costs.
Lower Yields
Although vine tomatoes produce impressive long strands loaded with tomatoes, they often have lower total yields compared to bush tomatoes. Bush tomatoes put more energy into setting lots of individual tomatoes rather than growing lengthy vines and extensive foliage. According to Clemson University trials, bush tomato varieties can produce yields ranging from 10-15 lbs per plant while vine varieties yield 5-8 lbs per plant on average.
The lower overall fruit production of vine tomato plants means lower total supply for vine varieties. Lower supply typically leads to higher prices in order to match demand.
More Disease Susceptible
The sprawling growth habit of vine tomatoes makes them more prone to disease issues like blight and wilt. The dense foliage allows less air circulation and sun exposure within the plant canopy which promotes disease development. Bush tomatoes with their more open habit are less susceptible. More disease susceptibility with vine tomatoes again translates into lower usable yields and supply.
Shorter Shelf Life
Vine ripened tomatoes also tend to have a shorter shelf life than mature green tomatoes that are picked unripe and allowed to ripen off vine. Vine tomatoes are left on the plant longer to achieve peak ripeness. However, fully ripe tomatoes are more delicate and perishable. They have a shorter window of optimal freshness making speedy transport even more important. The urgency to swiftly deliver highly perishable ripe vine tomatoes to stores adds cost. There is more waste as well if tomatoes get overripe or damaged in transit.
Increased Consumer Demand
Vine ripened tomatoes have grown greatly in popularity over the past two decades. As consumers learn more about the superior flavor and quality of vine ripened tomatoes, demand has steadily increased. Greater demand for a product generally leads to higher prices. There is growing consumer willingness to pay premium prices for the depth of flavor and vine freshness offered by tomatoes fully ripened on the vine.
Higher Input Costs
The production costs for vine tomatoes are typically higher as well. As mentioned previously, there are greater labor requirements for staking and pruning. More pruning equals more disposal costs to haul away plant debris. Long vining tomato varieties also occupy vertical space longer in greenhouses and fields meaning fewer plantings per year. Land costs are based on time so longer crop durations raise input costs. Trellising materials, taller stakes, and more durable strings needed to support vining plants also boost materials expenses compared to bush tomatoes. Higher production and materials costs translate into elevated pricing.
Specialty Wholesale Prices
Vine tomatoes are considered a specialty crop product by wholesale produce distributors. This means they command higher wholesale asking prices than regular field grown slicing tomatoes. The chart below compares average wholesale prices for field tomatoes versus specialty vine tomatoes based on USDA data.
| Tomato Category | Average Wholesale Price Per Pound |
|---|---|
| Field Grown Round Slicing Tomatoes | $0.94 |
| Round Vine Tomatoes | $2.58 |
As you can see, wholesale vine tomato prices are almost 3 times higher than field tomatoes. These elevated wholesale prices get passed on through the supply chain until they ultimately reach the consumer as higher retail pricing.
Perceived Value
There is also an important psychological component as consumers perceive vine tomatoes as higher quality and better tasting. Vine ripening allows tomatoes to achieve full depth of flavor not possible for tomatoes picked while still green. Even if the measurable quality and taste attributes are similar, many shoppers believe vine tomatoes taste better. This perception of elevated quality allows retailers to charge premium pricing while still moving ample product volume.
Specialty Varieties
Another contributor is that vine tomato varieties sold in stores are often specialty breeds that command higher prices. Mass market field tomatoes belong to common hybrid breeds like Celebrity, Big Beef, and Early Girl that have been bred heavily for yield and durability. Vine tomatoes include pricier heirloom types like Brandywine, Cherokee Purple, Black Krim and other less commercial varieties valued by foodies and gourmets.
Higher Market Demand Among Affluent Shoppers
Vine ripened tomatoes appeal strongly to affluent shoppers who are less price sensitive and willing to pay more for produce grown with premium practices they perceive as healthier and more sustainable. Vine tomatoes check important boxes for upscale shoppers including ripened on the vine, specialty varieties, and heirloom tomatoes. Higher disposable incomes among the core vine tomato target customer base allows retailers to drive strong profits even with elevated pricing.
Limited Growing Regions
Another supply factor that can drive up costs is that specialty vine tomato production tends to be concentrated in limited ideal climates like California, Mexico, and parts of Canada. Tomatoes thrive in sunny warm conditions with low humidity. Long cross country transport can decrease quality and shelf life. Imported vine tomatoes face additional costs related to customs, duties, and meeting country specific regulations. Relying on a few preferred vine tomato growing districts restricts supply availability and leads to higher prices to end buyers.
More Resource Intensive
Vine tomatoes consume more water, nutrients, and energy inputs as they grow much larger with extensive foliage and root structures than bush plants. More inputs and resources are necessary to sustain vigorous vining plants and bring them to maximum fruit production. The considerable resources needed to optimize vine tomato crop development contribute to their elevated production costs.
Lack of Mechanization
Bush tomatoes can be more mechanized and benefit from some economies of scale. Bush varieties are bred to concentrate fruit production within a compact determinate plant. This allows bush tomato farming to implement more automation like mechanical harvesting. Vining indeterminate tomatoes don’t lend themselves as well to mechanization. Much of the labor like staking and pruning remains manual. The lack of mechanization possibilities for vine tomatoes keep labor costs higher.
Fewer Growers
While most tomato growers produce bush tomatoes, there are fewer tomato farmers willing and able to specialize in vine tomato cultivation. It requires different land, equipment, staking infrastructure, and labor skills tailored to vining plants. The specialized knowledge and investments required limit the number of vine tomato growers. Less competition concentrates vine tomato production among a select group of growers who can charge elevated prices due to high demand and limited supply.
Extended Transit Times
Shipping highly perishable ripe vine tomatoes long distances requires costly rapid transport like air freight rather than cheaper slow transport options like rail or ocean shipping. Even trucks must take more direct optimized routes to ensure fast vine tomato delivery versus circuitous conventional lanes used for hardy unripe field tomatoes. The urgency of direct point-to-point shipping of ripe fruit adds significant transportation costs that impact retail pricing.
More Packaging
Extra packaging is needed for fragile ripe tomatoes to prevent damage in transit. Unlike unripe field tomatoes that can be packed loose in large bins, delicate ripe vine tomatoes require commingling protection and single layer packing. Tomatoes are individually wrapped or placed in protective trays or cups. Specialty packing like this raises materials costs. There is also more waste if damaged product must be discarded.
Limited Season
While field tomatoes are grown nearly year-round in various regions, premium vine tomatoes have a relatively short peak season. Long seasons of high yields are challenging to achieve with vine tomatoes. Their vining habit, disease susceptibility, and requirements for optimum growing temperatures restrict output during shoulder seasons. Limited supply availability during the short vine tomato peak season leads to temporary spikes in pricing.
| Tomato Category | Primary Growing Season |
|---|---|
| Field Grown Round Slicing Tomatoes | Year-round |
| Round Vine Tomatoes | June – September |
Smaller Sizes
Because they are vine ripened, specialty tomatoes are often smaller sized. Large tomatoes become too heavy on the vine. Vine varieties sacrifice ultralarge sizing for increased sugar content and flavor. These smaller sized vine tomatoes mean less usable weight per piece and lower yield per acre. Lower supply of the preferred smaller sizes allows growers to demand higher per pound prices.
Organic Production
Many premium vine tomatoes are also certified organic. Organic production costs more due to higher labor, lower yields, and approved organic inputs. The USDA estimates organic tomato production costs around 30% more than conventional practices. Much of this increased expense of organic farming gets passed along as increased retail pricing for organic vine tomatoes.
Brand Marketing
Heavy marketing investments also factor into the elevated pricing of branded premium vine tomatoes. Popular brands like Campari and Santa SweetsTM invest significantly in advertising, packaging, and promotional campaigns to capture consumer attention in a crowded produce aisle. These branding costs ultimately get incorporated into the wholesale and retail pricing.
Conclusion
In summary, vine ripened tomatoes demand higher prices because they require more inputs to produce. They are more labor intensive to grow, more susceptible to disease, have lower yields, and shorter shelf life than field tomatoes. Vine tomatoes are considered a specialty produce item with higher wholesale values. From a demand standpoint, consumer preference for the flavor and perceived quality of vine ripening allows retailers to charge premium prices. The limited growing regions, resources required, and lack of mechanization in vine tomato production also contribute to elevated costs. When you add in the marketing and branding efforts for premium vine tomato varieties, it becomes clear why these specialty vines command 2-3 times the price per pound of conventional field tomatoes.