U.S. Tomato Processors produced a record pack of 12.79 million tons according to a report issued today by the California League of Food Processors. Production is 36% higher than the weather-shortened crop of a year ago and the total supply of processed tomato products available for 1999-2000 was nearly 15 million tons on a raw product equivalent basis, 19% higher than last year.

Inventory of all tomato products on December 1, 1999 stood at 9.1 million tons, stated on a raw product equivalent basis and were 37% higher than 1998. Apparent disappearance for the six months June 1 to December 1 was 5.9 million tons.

In a separate report, California processors reported a 1999 tomato paste-for-sale pack of 6.3 million tons, and a current inventory on December 1 of 3.6 million tons, raw product equivalent.

US processing tomato inventory reports and California tomato paste-for-sale reports are services of the California League of Food Processors. The reports reflect estimated total US stocks, based on voluntary reports from processors throughout the US. For 1999-2000, reporting processors handled 92% of the total US crop of processing tomatoes.