Good quality tomatoes should have bright, shiny skins (regardless of degree of ripeness) and firm flesh. Avoid tomatoes that are soft or mushy, lacking in color, or have blemishes or growth cracks. Inspect tomatoes immediately upon arrival to ensure that the degree of ripeness, size, and quantity is consistent with order specifications.
Round/Globe
Cherry
Roma
Old Size Designations*
Current Size Designations
Minimum Diameter
Maximum Diameter
Storing and Handling
Temperature/humidity recommendations for short-term
storage of seven days or less:
Ripe and mature green: 60-65 degrees
F/16-18 degrees C
85-95% relative humidity
Copyright & Disclaimer
PMA Fresh Produce Manual
Handling Tips
Tomatoes are delicate and can bruise easily which may promote spoiling. Handle tomatoes with care; do not drop containers on the floor or dump tomatoes. Store and display tomatoes stem-end up to help preserve quality.
Troubleshooting
Decay; softening; loss of flavor; failure of mature greens to ripen properly:
These are indications of chill injury. To prevent chill injury, do not store tomatoes below 50 degrees F/10 degrees C. Moisture accumulation on or in containers during storage may also promote product decay. Store containers off the floor to keep them from getting damp. Maintain moderate air circulation and inspect tomatoes daily during storage.
Bruising:
Tomatoes bruise easily and may eventually spoil. To prevent bruising and possible spoilage, handle tomatoes with care; do not drop shipping containers on the floor.
Uneven color development:
Exposing tomatoes to temperatures above 86 degrees F/30 degrees C for longer than a few hours will result in uneven color development of mature green or breaker tomatoes.
U.S. No. 1
U.S. Combination
U.S. No. 2
U.S. No. 3
Greenhouse tomatoes:
U.S. No. 1
U.S. No. 2
NOTE: Not all tomatoes are graded. Ungraded tomatoes are called “unclassified.” Differences between grades are based primarily on external appearance.
Storing Tips
To delay ripening of mature green tomatoes, store at 55-60 degrees F/13-16 degrees C. Tomatoes are very susceptible to chill injury and should not be stored below 50 degrees F/10 degrees C. If ripe tomatoes must be placed in a cooler, wrap boxes in thermal blankets and store near the cooler door to reduce the possibility of chill injury. Keep unripe tomatoes out of direct sunlight.
Shippers
RIO QUEEN CITRUS, INC.
4012 East Goodwin Road, Mission, TX 78572
PHONE # - 956-205-7400
FAX # - 956-585-0258
CONTACT - Mike Martin, VP Sales
E-MAIL - sales@rioqueencitrus.com
