Dr Jacqueline Rowarth: The problem with cheap tomatoes 16 Mar, 2021 12:30 AM 5 minutes to read The Country Opinion: While cheap tomatoes may be good news for consumers, the benefits for growers are yet to be seen, Dr Jacqueline Rowarth says. Tomatoes being sold for 9c/kg in Hastings hit the news in the second week of March, only to be beaten by 8c/kg in Auckland the following day. Read More The reason for the low price was a glut caused by, at least in part, inability to export to Australia and the Pacific Islands. Shortage in freight space meant the cost of transport escalated and the tomatoes could not then be sold in the overseas markets at a price that would cover the costs.