Beef tomatoes are a high-volume greenhouse crop, producing 85 kg/m² (17.45 lbs/sq.ft.), making them the highest-yielding tomato variety but with a lower price per kilogram (pound) compared to smaller, sweeter tomatoes. These large, meaty fruits, weighing 180-200g (6.3-7.0 oz) each, are a staple for slicing, cooking, and bulk retail markets. In a professional modular greenhouse, beef tomatoes thrive under precisely regulated temperatures (16-22°C / 61-72°F), light intensity (15 DLI), and CO₂ levels (800 ppm), ensuring consistent size, firmness, and shelf stability. While their Brix values are lower, beef tomatoes remain a commodity staple, typically packaged in 11 lbs boxes for bulk distribution. By integrating hydroponic growing techniques and automated climate control, greenhouse producers can achieve cost-effective, high-yield production, ensuring market stability and predictable revenue streams for large-scale operations.
Beef Tomatoes
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| Model | Area | Yield [lbs] | Area [m²] | Yield [kg] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | 0.25 Acre | 127,000 lbs. | 1,012 m² | 58,000 kg |
| Basic | 0.5 Acre | 238,500 lbs. | 2,024 m² | 108,000 kg |
| Basic | 1.0 Acre | 540,000 lbs. | 4,048 m² | 245,000 kg |
| Expert | 0.5 Acre | 297,000 lbs. | 2,024 m² | 135,000 kg |
| Expert | 1.0 Acre | 600,500 lbs. | 4,048 m² | 272,500 kg |
| Expert | 2.0 Acre | 1,200,500 lbs. | 8,094 m² | 544,500 kg |
| Plus | 2.0 Acre | 1,221,500 lbs. | 8,094 m² | 554,500 kg |
| Plus | 4.0 Acre | 2,511,000 lbs. | 16,188 m² | 1,139,000 kg |
| Plus | 8.0 Acre | 5,022,000 lbs. | 32,376 m² | 2,278,000 kg |
Genetics Varieties & Breeding Companies
Modern greenhouse crops are the result of advanced breeding, combining traits like high yield, pest and disease resistance, uniformity, and quality characteristics such as taste, firmness, and shelf life. Below are top-performing varieties from leading seed suppliers and breeding companies. While traits like Brix and fruit weight vary with climate, substrate, and grower technique, these genetics offer a strong foundation for high-performance greenhouse production. Always consult the supplier when selecting varieties.
Beef Tomato Varieties
| Variety | Supplier | Brix | Weight | Key Traits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maciste | Enza | 5+ | 250g+ / 8.8oz+ | Strong plant, flat-round fruits, excellent shelf life |
| Maxifort | Bayer | 5+ | 220g+ / 7.8oz+ | High vigor, rootstock compatible, reliable setting under stress |
| Dutch Rock | Axia Seeds | 6+ | 200g+ / 7oz+ | Uniform sizing, flat-round shape, good red color |
| DRW 7724 | Rijk Zwaan | 6+ | 240g+ / 8.4oz+ | Vigorous beef type, adaptable to light variations |
| Bober | Syngenta | 5+ | 230g+ / 8.1oz+ | Firm texture, strong shelf life, good internal color |
⚠️ Note: Brix and fruit weight values may vary depending on greenhouse conditions and management practices. Always validate compatibility with your crop plan and supplier recommendations.
Nutrient Profile of Greenhouse-Grown Beef Tomatoes
Beef tomatoes grown in greenhouses are free from pesticide use and picked at optimal ripeness, supporting a full-bodied nutrient profile. Their size and freshness are preserved through short supply chains, helping reduce vitamin loss while offering a clean, reliable ingredient for healthy meals.
Nutrition Facts
Serving size 100g
|
Amount Per Serving |
18 |
|
| % Daily Value* | ||
| Total Fat 0.2g | 0% | |
| Saturated Fat 0g | 0% | |
| Trans Fat 0g | 0% | |
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0% | |
| Sodium 1mg | 0% | |
| Total Carbohydrate 3.9g | 1% | |
| Dietary Fiber 1.2g | 4% | |
| Total Sugars 2.6g | ||
| Protein 0.9g | 1% | |
| Vitamin D 0mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium 10mg | 0% | |
| Iron 0.3mg | 1% | |
| Potassium 237mg | 5% | |
| Vitamin A 833 IU | 16% | |
| Vitamin C 14.0mg | 15% | |
* The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Metric
Cultivation Method – Greenhouse-Grown Beef Tomatoes
Beef tomatoes are grown in high-tech greenhouse environments using hydroponic systems designed for large-fruited crops. Dutch Greenhouses provides scalable solutions to support the weight and growing requirements of beef tomato varieties. While soil cultivation is still practiced in some local markets, hydroponic greenhouse systems are preferred for optimizing yield, uniformity, and quality. The structured data below outlines the key specifications for greenhouse beef tomato production.
| Topic | Description |
| Growing Medium | Cocopeat |
| Irrigation | Drip irrigation with A&B fertigation |
| Growing method | Suspended grow gutters |
| Greenhouse Model | Expert & Plus models (for high-density planting) |
Note: Growing medium, also can be mineral wool, we recommend for smaller greenhouses to use cocopeat
| Model | # of Rows | Length | Planting Distance | # of Plants |
| Expert 1/2 acre | 30x | 134.5 ft | 8.9 inch | 5,520 Plants |
| Expert 1 acre | 30x | 265.7 ft | 8.9 inch | 10,800 Plants |
| Expert 2 acre | 60x | 265.7 ft | 8.9 inch | 21,600 Plants |
| Plus 2 acre | 60x | 269.0 ft | 8.9 inch | 21,960 Plants |
| Plus 4 acre | 120x | 267.4 ft | 8.9 inch | 43,680 Plants |
| Plus 8 acre | 240x | 267.4 ft | 8.9 inch | 87,360 Plants |
Cultivation Method – Greenhouse-Grown Beef Tomatoes
Beef tomatoes are grown in high-tech greenhouse environments using hydroponic systems designed for large-fruited crops. Dutch Greenhouses provides scalable solutions to support the weight and growing requirements of beef tomato varieties. While soil cultivation is still practiced in some local markets, hydroponic greenhouse systems are preferred for optimizing yield, uniformity, and quality. The structured data below outlines the key specifications for greenhouse beef tomato production.
| Topic | Description |
| Growing Medium | Cocopeat |
| Irrigation | Drip irrigation with A&B fertigation |
| Growing method | Suspended grow gutters |
| Greenhouse Model | Expert & Plus models (for high-density planting) |
Note: Growing medium, also can be mineral wool, we recommend for smaller greenhouses to use cocopeat
| Model | # of Rows | Length | Planting Distance | # of Plants |
| Expert 1/2 acre | 30x | 41.0 m | 22.5 cm | 5,520 Plants |
| Expert 1 acre | 30x | 81.0 m | 22.5 cm | 10,800 Plants |
| Expert 2 acre | 60x | 81.0 m | 22.5 cm | 21,600 Plants |
| Plus 2 acre | 60x | 82.0 m | 22.5 cm | 21,960 Plants |
| Plus 4 acre | 120x | 81.5 m | 22.5 cm | 43,680 Plants |
| Plus 8 acre | 240x | 81.5 m | 22.5 cm | 87,360 Plants |
Crop Requirements
Understanding the growing conditions of beef tomatoes is essential to planning a greenhouse that performs. Below you'll find the core climate, lighting, and packaging guidelines for beef tomatoes — based on what works in modern, high-performance GrowPro systems.
Temperature
- Optimal 24-hour average: 21–27°C (70–81°F)
- Minimum temperature: 16°C (61°F)
- Maximum temperature: 30°C (86°F)
- Temperature sensitivity: ●●●●○ (High)
Lighting
- Optimal DLI: 25–30 mol/m²/day
- Light sensitivity: ●●●●○ (High)
- Supplemental lighting options: LED or HPS top-lighting (80–200 µmol/m²/s)
Humidity
- Target relative humidity: 60–70%
- Humidity sensitivity: ●●●◐○ (Moderate–High)
Packaging Options
- To Consumers: Tray packs, flow wrap, shrink wrap over trays
- To Farm Shops: Loose in bins, paperboard trays
- To Restaurants: Bulk cartons, RPC crates
Beef Tomatoes: Standardized Systems with Built-in Support
Greenhouse Models
All Beef Tomato crops are supported by GrowPro’s pre-engineered greenhouse models. Whether starting with 2 acres or scaling to full production, our Expert and Plus Series greenhouses offer the right dimensions, labor efficiency, and layout for streamlined tomato production.
Technology ↔ Crop
Beef Tomatoes are cultivated using a hanging gutter hydroponic system — the industry standard for professional greenhouse tomato production. GrowPro adapts this high-performance technology to a more accessible scale, delivering optimal climate conditions and production reliability across every project.
Guided Growing
GrowPro’s Guided Growing program combines data insights, AI monitoring, real-world grower expertise, and structured training. This integrated approach helps growers stay on track, troubleshoot faster, and maximize crop performance — no matter where they are on the learning curve.
FAQ: Growing Beef Tomatoes in Greenhouses
Professional growers can expect 80–100+ kg/m² per year, depending on light levels, climate steering, and variety. Beef tomatoes are one of the heaviest-yielding greenhouse crops when managed well.
Each beef tomato typically weighs 200–250 grams, with some varieties exceeding 300 grams. These fruits are favored for slicing and foodservice.
Due to their large size and leaf structure, beef tomatoes are planted at 2.0–2.5 plants per m², providing enough room for airflow and truss support.
Expect the first harvest 10–12 weeks after transplanting, followed by a long harvest period of 35–40 weeks, depending on the greenhouse location.
Maintain temperatures between 17–26°C and CO₂ levels around 800–1,000 ppm. Good humidity and air movement are important to avoid blossom-end rot and improve fruit quality.
They require more precise climate control, pruning, and support than smaller varieties. Yield and quality are highly responsive to grower skill—making them a crop for more advanced operations.