The 2010 United States tomato shortage was a shortage of tomatoes in the United States between March and April 2010 caused by unseasonably cold weather in Florida in January 2010 which destroyed 60-70% of the state's tomato crop.
[2] The shortage caused several fast food chains to stop offering tomatoes unless requested[3][4] and supermarkets rationed their supplies.
[5][6] Wholesale prices rose from around $7 for a 25 lb box to $30.
[5] The total cost of the cold weather to Florida tomato producers was approximately $150 million, according to USDA calculations.
[5] The tomato shortage came to an end around late April 2010, as crops had recovered.