This post is part of a series chronicling news coverage of rising prices in the United States. See more here.
CBS Detroit reports on how “shortages, tariffs, and higher transportation costs are all driving prices up" for produce
CBS reporter: Tomato prices “facing a barrage of hits, including the rising price of diesel caused by energy shocks from the war in Iran, and tariffs on imports from Mexico, now 17%”
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Citation
From the May 26, 2026, video uploaded to the YouTube channel of CBS Detroit
LAUREN WINFREY (ANCHOR): Some produce businesses say tomatoes are among the hardest hit items for Americans right now.
MEREDITH BRUCKNER (ANCHOR): As Mickaela Castillo reports, shortages, tariffs, and higher transportation costs are all driving prices up.
TONY WALKOW (OWNER OF SCOTTSDALE SPECIALTY): I've never seen it in 25 years in the history of the produce business.
MICKAELA CASTILLO (REPORTER): It's been a tough go around for Tony Walkow, owner of local produce company Scottsdale Specialty. Walkow says this year has been extra difficult when it comes to prices.
WALKOW: Just everything across the board has just gone up. You know, it's just that we got hit pretty hard this year in the produce business.
CASTILLO: Whether it's fruit or vegetables, Walkow says within the last year, the cost to import these products has been outrageous, especially the tomatoes.
WALKOW: Tomatoes used to be $15 a case for Roma tomatoes. They're now $60-$70 a case. Rounds, 4 by 5s, those used to be $20 a case. Now those are $90 a case.
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CASTILLO: The red fruit is facing a barrage of hits, including the rising price of diesel caused by energy shocks from the war in Iran, and tariffs on imports from Mexico, now 17%.
WALKOW: It's hard for, you know, some of the small businesses we deal with, you know, they can't raise their prices. If tomatoes are $80 and you know, tacos are $3 a taco, they cannot raise their pricing.