The tomato worth €18,000

A small box of tomatoes sold for a record €18,000 in Coín on Friday, August 15. The 13th annual auction was a historical moment for the Guadalhorce valley, as a batch the best-quality huevo de Toro tomatoes sold at a record price of EUR18,000. 

The winning bid came from local resident Francisco José Jiménez for a lot grown by Daniel García Plaza. According to a statement from Coín’s town hall, the proceeds will be donated to charitable causes.

The event, sponsored this year by flamenco singer Kiki Morente, saw Antonio Gámez’s tomatoes take second place and Isabel Cortés’s lot secure third. Coín’s mayor, Francisco Santos, celebrated the gobsmacking payout, stating, “We’ve overtaken all records since we began promoting this tomato variety, unique to our valley, nearly 15 years ago.” He was delighted that the money would be used to support local community groups and associations.

The huevo de toro is a tomato that can weigh up to 600 g and in some cases more than a kilogram. It has a bright red color, savoury aroma, meaty texture and delicate taste. The auction was the culmination for the promotional campaign of this Guadalhorce valley product that is sought after by restaurants in Japan and the US. The Malaga Province has signed up 50 restaurants to participate in a route Where to sample the delicious tomato?