Israeli produce supplier Arava has announced that tomato yields are down this season.

Vine-ripened products, such as Aranka, and round on-the-vine tomatoes are thought to be worst affected. Although loose cherry tomato volumes are also significantly reduced.

Inclement weather is the prime culprit. Israel experienced its coldest and wettest January for 10 years this winter. Consequently, tomato crops produced fewer fruit than normal and ripening was uneven.

'It's difficult to give an overall figure for the drop in production,' said Arava UK marketing manager David Crossland, 'because it varies for the different tomato categories and areas of production are different.' However, Agrexco said its cherry tomato supplies were back on track, having been 25 per cent down on last year.

Tomato acreage is down in Israel, as many growers abandoned the product in favour of peppers following a poor season last year.

'There's about a 30 per cent increase in pepper volume from last year,' said Crossland. 'Peppers have not been particularly affected by the weather. Quality is excellent, and we've seen a significant rise in volumes in the last two weeks.' Meanwhile, the dull, wet, winter weather has affected herb growth and delayed cutting.

'Chives have been difficult, but came right last week,' said Crossland. 'It usually takes 30 days from cutting to second harvest, but it's been taking up to 42-43 days. Basil has come back to rights.' Crossland added that the company's herb sales have risen by 35-45 per cent this year. l

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