Mexico's consumer protection agency, Profeco, is recommending that citizens use green tomatoes as a substitute for jitomate due to rising costs.
This shift in consumption is intended to mitigate the economic impact on households as the price of saladette tomatoes fluctuates and increases across national markets.
According to a Profeco spokesperson, the average price of jitomate was 50.60 pesos [1] during the third week of May 2024. While some reports indicate a price range between 31 and 53 pesos [1], other data suggests a higher peak. A spokesperson for the agency said that the cost of one kilo of jitomate has reached 80 pesos [2] in certain markets.
Other records from the agency listed the maximum registered price for saladette tomatoes at 65 pesos [1] earlier in the year. Despite these variations, the agency noted that green tomatoes have remained more affordable. A spokesperson said that green tomatoes continue to hover around 30 pesos [2] per kilo.
Profeco is encouraging consumers to adapt their cooking habits to save money. A representative of Profeco said, "Ante el aumento del precio del jitomate, recomendamos cocinar con tomate verde, que mantiene precios más estables" [2].
The agency continues to monitor price volatility across local markets to provide updated guidance to the public. By promoting the use of stable alternatives, the government aims to reduce the grocery burden on families facing inflation in the produce sector.
“The average price of jitomate was 50.60 pesos during the third week of May 2024.”
The recommendation by Profeco highlights the volatility of the Mexican agricultural market, where staple ingredients like the saladette tomato are susceptible to sharp price swings. By officially suggesting a dietary substitute, the government is attempting to use consumer behavior to offset the lack of price stability in the supply chain, effectively shifting demand toward more stable crops to protect household purchasing power.
