TOMATOES Growers Guide
Growers guide
Tomatoes are among the highest-value vegetable crops traded through South African fresh produce markets. Strong profits are possible when quality, yield, and timing align, but tomatoes are also one of the most management-intensive crops
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Finance
Typical tomato crop costs range from R120,000–R400,000+ per hectare depending on production system.
* Labour is usually one of the biggest hidden costs because harvesting happens multiple times.
* New growers often budget for production but forget market commission, transport, packaging, rejected fruit, and theft.
* A field producing 80 tons/ha is not necessarily profitable if only 60 tons are marketable.
* The first question should never be “What yield can I get?” but rather “What percentage can I sell?” -
Soil
Tomatoes perform best in well-drained, fertile soils with good water-holding capacity.
Recommended conditions:
* pH: 5.8–6.8
* Good organic matter content
* Strong drainage
* Low salinity
Soil testing before planting is essential for:
* Lime recommendations
* Nutrient balancing
* Fertiliser planning
* Avoiding unnecessary input costs
Skipping soil analysis often results in wasted fertiliser expenditure and reduced crop performance. -
Inputs
Fertiliser Programme (No Drip Irrigation)
The following programme has been used successfully by commercial growers, but should always be adjusted according to soil analysis and local recommendations.
At Planting:
* MAP: 5g per plant
* 2:3:4 (30): 10g per plant
* KCl (Potassium Chloride): 5g per plant
During Growth:
* Weekly applications of 5:1:5 can help maintain plant vigour and support fruit sizing during the production cycle.
Many new growers focus heavily on nitrogen, but tomatoes also require adequate potassium to achieve good fruit size, colour, firmness, and shelf life.
Drip Irrigation Fertigation
Many commercial tomato growers use fertigation, where fertilisers are injected directly through drip irrigation systems.
This allows nutrients to be supplied in smaller, more frequent doses and can improve fertiliser efficiency. While production systems vary, fertigation is commonly used by intensive tomato growers aiming for high yields and consistent quality.
A grower on Umlazi Road has produced good-quality tomatoes using this system, demonstrating that fertigation can be effective when managed correctly.
Disease Management
If there is one area where new tomato growers should not cut corners, it is fungicide programmes.
Tomatoes are highly susceptible to both Early Blight and Late Blight.
Late Blight
Late Blight is the disease most tomato growers fear.
Under cool, wet, humid conditions it can destroy a field within days. Many growers monitor weather forecasts closely during the rainy season because infection risk increases rapidly during periods of high humidity and prolonged leaf wetness.
Key lessons from experienced growers:
* Watch humidity levels.
* Watch rainfall forecasts.
* Spray before forecast rain events.
* Maintain protection during wet weather.
* Reapply protection according to label recommendations after prolonged rainfall.
Preventative control is usually far more effective than trying to stop an outbreak after symptoms appear.
Early Blight
Early Blight generally develops more slowly than Late Blight but should not be underestimated.
Once established, it can progressively reduce plant health, weaken production, and significantly reduce yields. Left unmanaged, it can eventually destroy a crop.
Consistent preventative programmes are usually more effective than waiting until symptoms become widespread.
Always follow registered product labels and consult local crop advisors regarding disease control programmes.
Mulching & Trellising
Plastic mulch is highly recommended for tomato production.
Benefits include:
* Reduced weed pressure.
* Improved moisture conservation.
* Reduced soil splash onto leaves.
* Lower disease pressure.
* Cleaner fruit.
Trellising is equally important.
Plants should be trained regularly and not allowed to become overcrowded. Dense canopies trap moisture and reduce airflow, creating ideal conditions for Late Blight and other fungal diseases.
Good airflow through the crop is one of the simplest and most effective disease management tools available.
Labour Requirements
Tomatoes are not a low-labour crop.
Labour is required for:
* Trellising.
* Pruning.
* Spraying.
* Harvesting.
* Grading.
* Packing.
For grading, many growers use potato graders which can speed up sorting considerably.
Hand grading is possible but becomes slow and labour-intensive as production volumes increase. It can also result in more grading inconsistencies and sorting mistakes.
Before planting large tomato areas, growers should ensure sufficient labour is available for harvesting and packing, as delays can quickly reduce fruit quality and market value. -
Best growth practice
Tomatoes reward growers who stay ahead of problems rather than reacting after damage appears.
Disease Prevention
The biggest mistake new tomato growers make is spraying according to the calendar instead of spraying according to weather conditions.
During dry weather, disease pressure may be relatively low. However, during extended rainy periods, humidity and leaf wetness become the biggest threats to the crop.
Many experienced growers increase field scouting and disease monitoring during wet conditions. When humidity remains high and leaves stay wet for long periods, the risk of blight increases dramatically.
Key lessons from experienced growers:
* Monitor weather forecasts daily.
* Watch humidity levels closely.
* Inspect fields after rain.
* Do not wait for disease symptoms before taking action.
* Maintain a preventative fungicide programme during high-risk periods.
* Rotate fungicide groups to help reduce resistance development.
Late Blight can spread extremely quickly under favourable conditions. Spores can travel long distances on wind currents, meaning a disease outbreak on a nearby farm can become your problem within days.
Many growers report that once Late Blight becomes established, yield losses can occur rapidly. Prevention is generally easier and cheaper than attempting to recover an infected field.
Trellising & Canopy Management
Tomato plants should be trained and maintained throughout the season.
Avoid allowing plants to become overcrowded or tangled together.
Benefits of proper trellising include:
* Improved airflow.
* Faster drying after rain.
* Reduced disease pressure.
* Better spray penetration.
* Easier harvesting.
* Improved fruit quality.
Dense canopies trap moisture and create ideal conditions for fungal diseases.
Pest Management
Several pests can become major economic threats in tomato production.
Common problem pests include:
* Tomato leaf miner (Tuta absoluta).
* Whiteflies.
* Fruit flies.
* Aphids.
* Caterpillars and other chewing pests.
Tuta absoluta is considered one of the most destructive tomato pests and can cause severe damage if not detected early.
Successful growers scout fields weekly and often inspect crops multiple times per week during periods of high pest pressure.
Key principles:
* Identify pests early.
* Monitor populations before damage becomes widespread.
* Rotate insecticide groups where necessary.
* Avoid relying on a single product repeatedly.
* Follow registered label recommendations at all times.
The best pest control programme is usually one that prevents population build-up rather than trying to eliminate a major infestation after it is already established.
Farmer’s Tip
Walk your tomato fields often.
Many experienced growers can spot a disease outbreak, irrigation issue, nutrient deficiency, or pest infestation days before it becomes obvious simply because they are in the field regularly. A 20-minute walk through the crop every morning can prevent losses worth thousands of rand later in the season. -
Major disease & pest
Common diseases:
* Early blight
* Late blight
* Powdery mildew
* Bacterial spot
* Fusarium wilt
* Verticillium wilt
Common pests:
* Tomato leaf miner (Tuta absoluta)
* Aphids
* Whiteflies
* Thrips
* Caterpillars
* Red spider mites
Management should focus on:
* Early detection
* Crop rotation
* Field sanitation
* Resistant cultivars where available -
Harvesting
Tomatoes require multiple harvest passes throughout the season.
Harvest success depends on:
* Correct maturity stage
* Careful handling
* Rapid cooling
* Proper grading
Labour requirements are often substantial, particularly for fresh market tomatoes.
Quality losses can occur through:
* Bruising
* Sunburn
* Cracking
* Poor handling
* Delayed transport
Pack-out percentage has a major impact on final profitability. -
Markets
Tomatoes are traded through all major South African fresh produce markets and retail supply chains.
Common pack formats include:
* 6kg trays
* 4 kg trays
*20kg lugs/crates
Market demand is strongly influenced by:
* Fruit size
* Uniformity
* Colour
* Shelf life
* Seasonal supply
Premium prices are generally achieved by:
* Consistent quality
* Reliable supply
* Strong presentation
* Good pack-out percentages
Popular tomatoes:
Rounds- retail reatierants municipal market
Jams and saladete- hawckers,traders aand much more popular in South Africa. -
Planting windows by region
Highveld
Primary planting:
* September to January
Advantages:
* Reduced disease pressure during drier periods.
* Strong colour development.
Coastal Regions
Primary planting:
* Most of the year depending on local climate.
Challenges:
* Higher humidity.
* Increased disease pressure.
Irrigation Production
* Enables year-round production.
* Allows targeting of premium market windows.
Dryland Production
* More dependent on rainfall patterns.
* Greater production risk during dry periods.
Planting dates should be adjusted according to local climate conditions, market opportunities, and cultivar requirements.
This information is provided for educational and planning purposes only. Production practices, fertiliser requirements, pest management strategies, and economic outcomes vary according to region, climate, soil type, cultivar, and management practices. Always consult qualified agronomists, crop advisors, product labels, and market representatives before making production or financial decisions.