Long life tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum): price is quality?

Abstract

The commercialization of the tomato has significant relevance in the national and international market. Thus, the purpose of this paper was to elucidate if the marketing price of the same is really related to its quality. The fruits were collected monthly from February to August at different points of sale in CEASA-GO, susceptible to variable storage conditions: “Boxe” (wholesale market) and “Pedras” (rural producer) and evaluated for commercial price, origin, firmness, color, vitamin C, soluble solids and acidity. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 2 x 7 factorial scheme (2 collection points and 7 collection periods) in three replications. The tomatoes marketed in the “Pedras” presented lower prices throughout the experiment. Regarding the physical and chemical parameters (color and firmness, vitamin C, soluble solids and acidity), no significant differences were observed between the different collection points. Although there were no significant differences in quality between the marketing points, those marketed in the boxes had a higher commercial value.