Yes, we have no tomatoes
By Christie Wilson
Advertiser Neighbor Island Editor
Tomato prices have skyrocketed to historic levels in recent weeks, prompting restaurants to alter their menus and stores to offer them at new premiums.
Tomatoes were selling for $4 a pound at the Safeway in Manoa yesterday, more than double the usual price, and Subway sandwich shops throughout the state are rationing tomato slices, charging extra or not offering them at all.
Hurricanes in Florida and cold and wet weather in California damaged crops farmers were planning to sell in November and December, and a tomato psyllid infestation is affecting plants in Mexico, according to industry officials.
Kelvin Shigemura, vice president of Armstrong Produce Ltd. in Kaka'ako, said the wholesale tomato prices of $1.75 to $2.15 a pound are the highest he's seen in his career. Under normal conditions, the price is 50 to 85 cents per pound.
Recent heavy rain in Hawai'i, which damaged local crops, are contributing to the tomato shortage, he said.
Shigemura said he couldn't predict when the tomato crop will rebound, noting that the situation already has extended over two months.
At TS Restaurants, whose eateries include the popular Duke's in Waikiki and Kimo's in Lahaina, beets are substituting for tomatoes in salads because of high cost and scarce supply.
"The price has gone up more than 150 percent or they're just plain unavailable," said corporate chef Peter Merriman. "There are lots of dishes where we're using different vegetables."
Merriman said that Hawai'i-grown tomatoes are now cheaper than Mainland imports, a rare occurrence.
The University branch of Subway canceled a daily-special promotion that would have taxed its tomato supplies, said manager Gekkie Seo, and sandwich makers have cut back from six to four slices per sandwich. He said tomato prices have gone up since October from $18 to $55 a case, and the quality has been poorer.
The Blimpie's sandwich and salad shop on Kaheka Street reported it already was paying $38 a case when the price went up Monday to $60.
The Subway on Main Street in Wailuku, Maui, is charging 25 cents extra for two slices of tomato and for bell peppers, which also have been affected by Mainland crop damage. The price doubles to 50 cents for foot-long sandwiches.
Maui attorney and tomato lover Richard Priest, who frequents the Wailuku Subway with 8-year-old daughter Jordan, said he hasn't been able to find good tomatoes at the grocery. He said the extra charge at Subway won't deter him.
"If I want a tomato in my sandwich I would pay 25 cents for it," he said.
Reach Christie Wilson at cwilson@honoluluadvertiser.com or (808) 244-4880.
