Sheinbaum highlights tomato producer agreement, aims to lower prices

President Claudia Sheinbaum has announced a new agreement with tomato producers aimed at curbing the soaring price of the staple, which had reached an "outrageous" 100 pesos per kilogram. The deal, signed with producers from 18 of Mexico's 25 tomato-growing states, seeks to eliminate intermediaries and foster direct relationships between growers and sellers.

"What we are looking for is to reduce these intermediaries, to have a direct agreement between the producer and the seller of the tomato, whether it is a central market, a supermarket, a street market, or any other form of tomato commercialization," Sheinbaum explained at the National Palace.

The agreement also prioritizes supplying the domestic market before any produce is exported. This measure is intended to prevent shortages within Mexico. Additionally, producers have agreed to lower the prices of essential inputs for cultivation, with the goal of increasing overall tomato production for the next harvest.

Sheinbaum expressed optimism that these measures will lead to a more stable and accessible price for tomatoes, benefiting consumers across the country. The initiative reflects a broader effort to address food price inflation and support national agricultural production.