W10: Weekly Tomato Update

Turkey

Turkey Restricts Tomato Exports to Keep Domestic Prices Low (Mar 6)

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Turkey has decided to limit the exports of tomatoes until April 14, 2023. The ministry said that "due to the recent abnormal rise in the price of tomatoes in Turkey and the terrible consequences of the earthquake, which directly affected 11 provinces, it became necessary to take measures to ensure food security and stabilize prices.".

Tomato Producers in Turkey Demanded the Removal of Export Restrictions (Mar 6)

Tomato producers in Antalya's Kaş district blocked a part of the Antalya-Muğla D-400 highway, Kaş-Seydikekemer road, to protest the export restriction on tomatoes until April 14, 2023. Governor Murat Öztürk met with them and expressed hope that the issue will be resolved tomorrow.

Tomato Exports Banned in Turkey to Ensure Food Security and Price Stability (Mar 6)

The Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry halted tomato exports until April 14, 2023. A letter sent to the exporters' unions stated that there have been abnormal increases in tomato prices in Turkey in recent days and that the earthquake disaster which directly affected 11 provinces resulted in the need to take measures to ensure food supply security and price stability.

Restriction Has the Opposite Effect Warning, Tomato Can Reach USD 5.27/KG in Turkey (Mar 7)

Turkey's government has suspended the export of tomatoes until April 14, 2023 due to a 100% increase in exports. Exporters fear this decision will have negative consequences, such as cutting off the producer and increasing the price of tomatoes. Consumers may have to import tomatoes for USD 5.27 (TRY 100) a year.

Several Countries Dependent on Turkey Must Find Alternatives (Mar 8)

The Turkish government has announced a temporary limitation of tomato exports until April 14, 2023 to ensure food security and stabilize domestic prices. This restriction will affect Turkish tomato growers and exporters, and countries dependent on imports of Turkish greenhouse tomatoes are looking for alternatives. Analysts predict a sharp price increase in countries dependent on Turkish tomato imports, creating an opportunity in these markets.

Turkey Lifted the Ban on Tomato Exports (Mar 8)

The decision to ban the export of tomatoes from Turkey, which caused a great response among local producers and exporters, has been canceled after violent protests by the victims. This decision was taken to ensure food supply and price stability in Turkey due to the recent abnormal increase in the price of tomatoes.

Tomato Export Ban in Turkey Has Been Lifted Following Protests by the Tomato Growers (Mar 8)

The Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry announced the lifting of export restrictions on tomatoes as of March 8 following protests by tomato growers. Previously, export restrictions were imposed on tomatoes until April 14 to ensure tomato supply security in the domestic market and prevent price instability. With the lifting of the restrictions, there will be no hindrance in issuing a Phytosanitary Certificate and/or Health Certificate for the export of tomatoes.

Export Restriction on Turkish Tomatoes Lifted on 8 March 2023 Following Protests by Farmers (Mar 10)

The Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry restricted tomato exports from March 2 to April 14, 2023, citing the increase in tomato prices and the earthquake, in order to ensure food supply security and price stability. However, the export restriction was lifted on March 8 following protests by farmers and exporters as spring months are the busiest for tomato exports. In 2022, Turkiye exported tomatoes worth USD 58M in March and USD 60M in April.

In the domestic market, while the lowest tomato price in winter months averages around USD 0.90/kg, cherry, and other varieties reached USD 2.11/kg. The increase in tomato prices to USD 1.32-1.58/kg in local markets and USD 1.84-2.11/kg in supermarkets has caused quite a reaction among consumers. The solution to this problem is not to restrict exports but to increase production. And the factor that causes the increase in prices of tomatoes and all other food products is not the increase in exports, but the rise in input costs.

Opening of Export Made Turkey’s Tomato Producer Happy (Mar 10)

Farmers were satisfied with the price and said that the opening of exports had a doping effect. Farmers also said that tomato cultivation is developing every year and that the earnings of farmers contribute to both the country's economy and the economy of Erdemli. The fact that the quality tomatoes grown in Turkey's greenhouses make money and the farmers get paid for their efforts makes them and the producers happy.

Egypt

Egypt Produces 10.8MMT of Tomatoes Annually (Mar 12)

Engineer Mahmoud Fawzi Atta, Head of the Central Administration of Horticulture and Agricultural Crops, said that the cultivated area of the tomato crop ranges from 500K-600K acres, with an average productivity of 18T per acre and a total throughput of 10.8MMT. Soft loans are provided to farmers to expand the construction of greenhouses, and the ministry provides facilities such as licensing greenhouses and providing services and guidance. Tomato crop exports ranked ninth in 2022, with a total of 51KT.

Belgium

Exorbitant Prices for Tomatoes Are the Result of a Whole Chain of Events in Belgium (Mar 8)

Tomato prices in Belgium have skyrocketed due to climate problems and high energy costs, resulting in a deficit in winter production.

Canada

Canadians Expected to Reduce Fresh Produce Consumption Due to Inflation in 2023 (Mar 7)

In W10, the Ontario Produce Marketing Association (OPMA) and the Provincial Government reported that one-fifth of buyers in Ontario, Canada, expect to reduce their fresh meat and produce purchases over the next three months. Researchers noted buyers plan to decrease the consumption of imported products such as Mexican avocados and tomatoes due to concerns regarding the price increase of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Italy

Industrial Tomato, Still No Agreement on Price in Central South of Italy (Mar 8)

The meeting between tomato producers and processors in the central-southern basin was constructive, but no agreement was reached on the average reference price of tomatoes for the next campaign. ANICAV has proposed an increase of USD 148.48/T(EUR 140/T) for the round tomato and USD 153.78/T (EUR 145/T) for the long one.

Japan

Japanese Tomato Product Imports Remain Considerable (Mar 7)

Japanese imports of tomato products have increased significantly since the Covid health crisis, with a double increase in the canned tomatoes category and a decrease in Turkish imports. Japan's expenditure on imported tomato products has increased again, reaching USD 320M in 2022. Pastes and canned tomatoes account for most of Japan's expenditure.

Mexico

Excess Supply of Roma Tomatoes in the Nogales Market During W10 (Mar 12)

During W10, Roma tomatoes faced a greater entry level in the Nogales market. Sinaloa sent more tomatoes than the demand, filling the stock of warehouses and decreasing prices. The price stood at USD 10-11/25 lbs for jumbo and XLarge sizes and USD 9/25 lbs for large and medium sizes. A few warehouses started quotations of these sizes at a minimum of USD 8.35/25 lbs. More incoming volume is forecasted to enter the market in W11.

Moldova

Greenhouse Tomato Production May Sharply Decrease in Moldova (Mar 8)

Tomatoes in Moldova will be grown in greenhouses on a maximum of 100-300ha in 2023 due to the energy crisis and lack of energy resources. There will be only one production cycle, with harvesting in late spring-early summer.

Spain

Major Tomato Shortage and Price Increase in Spain Due to Adverse Weather Conditions (Mar 7)

Spanish tomato production is experiencing one of its worst moments due to the extreme scarcity in supply caused by high temperatures suffered during autumn and early winter. As a result, many tomatoes were produced earlier instead of in January-February 2023 and were sold out in advance. In addition, the recent low temperatures caused a delay in the maturing process of the existing tomatoes, slowing down the harvest process. The shortage for this campaign is recorded at 35% compared to 2022. Therefore, the price is up by as much as 50% in some cases compared to the previous year.

Spanish Tomato Exports Fell by -38.71% (Mar 10)

Spain's tomato exports have decreased by 38.71% in the last ten years, with an average price of USD 1.85/kg (EUR 1.75/kg).

United Kingdom

UK’s USD 211.8M (EUR 20M) Tomato Market Attractive for Ghanaian Growers (Mar 6)

The Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana is engaging the UK High Commission to institute a guaranteed market trade route system for local tomato producers to supply supermarkets in the UK. It will create thousands of jobs, and local producers will have the competitive and comparative advantage to produce for export. Kenya and Uganda have already approached the UK to take advantage of the situation.

The Shortage of Tomatoes in the European Market Keeps Prices at Source at High Values (Mar 10)

The international supply of tomatoes in the European market is low due to low production in the Netherlands and Turkey, as well as low winter temperatures in Morocco.