Tomato Prices in Mexico Rise Again

The price of tomatoes and other vegetables is once again straining Mexican wallets, as in some supermarkets, the kilogram is sold for over 60 pesos, despite agreements with the federal government to contain its cost. This was acknowledged by Diego Cossío Barto, executive president of the National Association of Department and Self-Service Stores (ANTAD), in an interview with Azucena Uresti, where he explained that prices vary significantly between chains and sales formats. However, he insisted that the sector's commitment has been to keep tomatoes in an approximate range of 26 to 40 pesos per kilogram. "There has been a close commitment to keep it within what is possible, even losing money or sacrificing margin," stated the business representative, referring to the agreement promoted under the Family Economy Support Program (PACIC), which aims to stabilize the cost of the basic basket. He added that in this regard, they have held meetings with the Secretariats of Finance and Agriculture, as well as with tomato growers, to face this crisis and maintain the agreed prices. In a special monitoring by the "Who is Who in First Need" program for the price of salad tomatoes, conducted from March 17 to 20, 2026, a national average price of $41.09 per kilogram stands out. There is a high price variation for this product. Cossío Barto highlighted that the tomatoes sold in supermarkets represent only 18.4% of national sales, according to INEGI data, while the rest is marketed in tianguis, public markets, corner stores, and other traditional channels. "The more than four thousand self-service stores of our associates are making a real effort to maintain the price," he stated, while emphasizing that the chains involved in the agreement include Soriana, Chedraui, La Comer, Casa Ley in the north, and others. In the case of Walmart, Cossío Barto clarified that while the large American supermarket chain is not part of ANTAD, it is part of PACIC. Regarding the causes of the increase, the business leader pointed mainly to climatic factors that have affected crops in both Mexico and the United States, particularly in producing areas like Florida. To this are added other secondary variables such as the increase in transport, fuel, and toll costs, as well as insecurity in some regions of the country. "This is a cyclical climatic phenomenon; it is about seasonal crops that we all know," affirmed the president of ANTAD. The commitment to the basic basket at 910 pesos is maintained Cossío Barto stated that he has not held recent meetings with President Claudia Sheinbaum; however, he has maintained contact with agencies such as the Secretariat of Agriculture, the Secretariat of Finance, and the Federal Consumer Prosecutor's Office (Profeco), with which they monitor the program. Nevertheless, he did not rule out meeting with the head of state in the coming days to address the issue. Finally, the leader emphasized that the commitment is to maintain the PACIC pact, so that the basic basket continues at an average of 910 pesos for 24 products, which he said is under constant monitoring and audits.