Tomatoes 

Queensland's tomato industry

Queensland is the main producer of fresh market tomatoes in Australia and supplies the Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne markets, with smaller quantities going to Adelaide, Perth and other minor markets. In the year ending 30 June 2005, Queensland produced around 85,837 tonnes (t) of tomatoes worth about $90.6 million. This is about 21% of the Australian production and 56% of its value, and was grown on 3,060 hectares (Source: ABS estimates). Queensland does not grow tomatoes specifically for processing.

Because of the high capital costs involved and buyer's desire for a regular supply from a limited number of providers, there is an increasing trend towards fewer growers producing on a larger scale.

The main production regions are around Bowen (April to early December) and Bundaberg (April to mid August and October to early January). The Lockyer Valley (November to May) and Granite Belt (January to April) supply small quantities through summer.

Under cover (plastic, glass house) production is becoming more popular. Capital costs are very high for this method of production, however crops can be harvested for much longer (up to 10 months) and produce much higher yields per plant. Crop damage and losses from environmental factors, e.g. rain, are reduced. These crops are grown hydroponically, thus reducing water use.

In 2002-03 Australia exported 3,199 t worth $7.475 million, with more than 77% going to New Zealand and the rest going to Asian and Pacific island countries (Source: ABS).

Research and Development information

Current and recent projects managed by DPI&F include breeding fresh market varieties with improved eating characteristics and greater pest and disease tolerance. One tomato breeding success for DPI&F officers is the recently released variety Trifecta which has both good agronomic features and resistance to several fungal diseases. Other projects include silverleaf whitefly management and developing heat treatments to improve access to overseas markets.

Crop information

Enterprise management
This page contains business information, including buying a farm, producing vegetables for market, and chemical use and drought information. 

Growing tomatoes: Before you start
This DPI&F Note is a checklist of the things you need to know before you start. It will help you make the right decision about growing tomatoes.

Growing tomatoes: Common questions
This DPI&F Note contains the most commonly asked questions about growing tomatoes. 

Pests & diseases

Integrated weed management components in vegetable crops
This Note discusses a range of weed management options in vegetable crops, including tomatoes.

Potato moth in rare fruit
This Note contains a description and management and control methods of potato moth. 

Queensland fruit fly in rare fruit
This Note contains a description, and management and control methods of Queensland fruit fly. 

The Silverleaf whitefly in Queensland web page provides information about silverleaf whitefly and Project VG05050, and links to newsletters and project results as they become available.

Spiraling whitefly
Spiraling whitefly (Aleurodicus dispersus) is a serious pest of many horticultural crops, and also of an extensive range of ornamentals and shade trees. 

Tomato leaf curl virus
In Queensland, surveys involving DPI&F and CSIRO have detected tomato leaf curl virus (TLCV) in several communities and townships on Cape York Peninsula, the southern-most of these being Croydon in the west and Mossman in the east. An exotic strain of tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) has recently been detected. 

Tomato yellow leaf curl virus 
Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) was found in tomato crops in early 2006 in areas south of Brisbane and around Bundaberg.

Tomato root knot nematodes: Biology and control
This Note discusses root knot nematodes, their life cycle, monitoring and management. 

Industry links

The horticulture sector is represented by many industry groups. Visit our industry links page for links to many of their websites.

External references

The following web sites are external to the DPI&F site but contain information that could be of interest to Queensland growers.

Growing hydroponic tomatoes is a site developed by the University of Arizona and contains useful information on growing tomatoes hydroponically.

The Tomato links page of the University of California's Tomato Genetics Resource Centre contains a wide range of links to sites of interest to the tomato industry.

The University of Florida's site Identifying and controlling postharvest tomato diseases in Florida is a useful reference for postharvest problems.

Western flower thrips (WFT) ( External PDF, 31 kB) is a major pest of tomatoes and spreads tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV). An Insecticide resistance management plan has been developed.

DPI&F information and services

• To access QPIF's information and services, Queensland residents can contact us on 13 25 23 for the cost of a local call, from 8 am to 6 pm Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays). E-mail callweb@dpi.qld.gov.au. Non-Queensland residents phone (07) 3404 6999.

• Other horticultural information is available on the Plant industries home page.

Last updated 30 June 2009