A letter to readers

Greenhouse tomato production in the United States has increased exponentially in the first years of the new millennium, and has taken a greater share of the overall United States fresh market tomato industry — more than 40 percent, according to the latest USDA figures.

A recent University of Florida report¹ on the potential for market expansion in Florida points out that U.S. greenhouse tomato production doubled from 2000 to 2011, increasing from 2.7 million cwt. in 2000 to 5.4 million cwt. in 2011.

As production increases, so do the challenges facing growers. Whether it’s related to pricing, competition, labor or threats posed by invasive pests and other damaging insects and diseases, tomato growers need support to help them maximize return on their investment.

At Nufarm, we are committed to helping greenhouse tomato growers grow to their potential.

Over the past few years, Nufarm has acquired marketing and distribution rights to leading products from both Cleary Chemical Corporation and Valent U.S.A. Corporation, strengthening an already diverse portfolio of solutions to a vast number of challenges faced by edible growers.

Nufarm offers tomato growers a wide range of options for control of tough pests and diseases, including fungicides (Agri-Mycin^®, AffirmTM, AludeTM, Cuproxat^®), insecticides (Gnatrol^®, TetraSan^®, TriStar^® ,Distance^®), insect and plant growth regulators, and more.

These products help tomato growers in particular fight diseases such as early and late blight, anthracnose fruit rot, Botrytis, Cercospora leaf spot, powdery mildew, black root rot and Alternaria blight/rot and bacterial wilt, as well as insects such as aphid, whitefly and fungus gnat.

To ensure we provide opportunities to “Grow to your potential,” Nufarm is actively evaluating label expansions to include use on both vegetable transplant and hydroponic production, adding tomato and other greenhouse vegetable and herb production uses.

As we look ahead to 2015 and beyond, Nufarm will continue working to provide the greenhouse tomato industry with innovative solutions to their most challenging pest problems. At the same time, our vastly experienced team of sales and technical experts will be right beside you providing the support you need to grow to your potential.

¹ Asci S, Van Sickle J, Cantliffe D. “The Potential for Greenhouse Tomato Production Expansion in Florida.” University of Florida. February 2013.