Tomato concentrate: How did we quit the activity

Published 2020년 7월 21일

Tridge summary

Morocco, a country that once exported tomato paste, has become a net importer of the product due to the decline in local production. The country now imports between 10,000 and 15,000 tonnes of tomato paste annually, with the majority coming from Egypt, Italy, China, Portugal, and the United States. This is despite the country having an estimated 100,000 tonnes of industrial tomato production annually across 5,000 hectares. The reduction in local production is attributed to the requirement for "long life" varieties for export, which are not suitable for transformation into paste. Factories still in operation are now sourcing raw materials from cultivation contracts with farmers and are also vertically integrating by producing their own raw material on leased land.

Disclaimer:The above summary was generated by Tridge's proprietary AI model for informational purposes.

Original content

Why has the tomato paste industry faltered? The question is very topical as the government inaugurates its substitution / import policy. From a country with high export potential, two decades ago, Morocco is today a net importer of this product with multiple uses. Double or triple, tomato paste is indeed used by the fish canning industry, catering and by housewives for various pasta-based dishes, rice. And of course in the essential "Harira" during the month of Ramadan. A few days before and during this month, at least five major brands were competing for the tomato paste market with advertising messages. And for good reason! No less than 60% of the production was consumed during the month of the fast, or 12,000 to 15,000 tons. The rest went to the fish canning industry. Two decades ago, Morocco exported tomato paste, particularly to European Union countries. A company located in the Larache region had even specialized in the production of powdered tomatoes, all of which were ...

Source: L'economiste.com