1. Weekly News

Brazil

Caxias do Sul Tomato Market Faces Price Drops Amid Winter Challenges

In the Caxias do Sul region, tomato prices have dropped from USD 1.09 per kilogram (BRL 5.75/kg) in Aug-25 to USD 0.92/kg (BRL 4.88/kg) in Sep-25. This drop can be attributed to stagnated domestic production caused by winter cold, with much of the supply coming from other regions of Brazil. Producers in warmer areas are planting early crops to offset the shortfall. However, tomato yields remain at risk from late blight, a fungal disease that thrives in cool, humid conditions and can cause losses of 20% to 70%, reaching total crop failure in severe cases. Compounding the threat are pests such as tomato leafminer, whitefly, and aphids, which damage leaves and fruits and transmit viruses. Integrated pest and disease management, including proper plant spacing, crop rotation, debris removal, resistant varieties, and balanced nutrition, is essential to protect crops.

Poland

Polish Authorities Crack Down on Non-EU Tomato Imports with Quality Issues

In 2025, Poland’s Agricultural and Food Quality Inspection (IJHARS) intensified border inspections of imported food products, issuing 76 decisions banning 90 batches from circulation, including tomato products. Among the flagged items were batches of tomato paste from Ukraine found with mold hyphae, reflecting ongoing concerns over spoilage, labeling inaccuracies, and non-compliance with organic standards. Inspections targeted a wide range of imports from non-European Union (EU) countries such as Ukraine, China, Turkey, Egypt, and Russia, covering preserved vegetables, spices, herbs, and other foodstuffs. The irregularities primarily involved faulty labeling, presence of pests, spoilage, mold, and excessive residues, demonstrating IJHARS’ commitment to maintaining food quality and safety for Polish consumers.

South Korea

High-Tech and Eco-Friendly Measures Shield Tomato Farms from Hornworm Damage

In Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, intensive monitoring and early control measures are being implemented to protect tomato farms from tomato hornworm damage in the second half of the year, particularly targeting areas with second-season plantings. The Gyeonggi Agricultural Research and Extension Services have provided customized pest control solutions such as chemical pesticides for conventional farms and organic materials, mating disruption agents, and traps for eco-friendly farms, while conducting forecasting and technical guidance. Cooperation with 21 city and county agricultural technology centers ensures monthly checks on pest status and ongoing support. Tomato farms are advised to apply registered pesticides when 1 to 4 larvae per trap are observed, use sticky and pheromone traps for monitoring, and implement preventive measures such as insect screens. On-site consulting has further enhanced farm capabilities, applying previously taught cultivation theory to real fields, improving growth management, pest control, and quality. These efforts aim to strengthen small-scale farmers’ expertise, ensure high-quality tomato production, and are set to continue with additional consultations in Sep-25.

Spain

Murcia Tomato Sector Secures Landmark Labor Agreement Boosting Worker Rights

The Murcia region has formalized a collective labor agreement for the handling and packaging of fresh tomatoes, covering 2,500 workers, 80% of whom are women, in key production areas including Mazarrón, Águilas, Lorca, and Cartagena. Effective until December 31, 2027, the agreement aims to modernize labor relations, improve work-life balance, and enhance competitiveness in the sector. Salaries will rise by 2.7% in 2026 and 2027, with an additional inflation-linked adjustment of up to 0.5% if annual inflation exceeds 3%. The agreement also gradually reduces annual working hours from 1,826 to 1,800 by 2027, allows flexible distribution of work hours to match production cycles, and introduces updates on leave, vacations, union rights, and equality measures. Employers and unions emphasized that the agreement fosters social peace, strengthens organizational capacity, and ensures workers’ rights while signaling a commitment to producing high-quality, socially responsible Murcia tomatoes.

Turkey

Tomato Harvest Resumes After Earthquake, Yielding High-Quality Produce

Despite the 6.1 magnitude earthquake on August 10, agricultural production in Balıkesir’s Sındırgı district has resumed, with tomato harvesting underway. This is particularly in areas dedicated to tomato paste such as İbiller, Hisaralan, and Cüneyt neighborhoods. The Sındırgı Municipality, in cooperation with the Balıkesir Metropolitan Municipality, renovated and expanded loading ramps to facilitate easier transport of harvested tomatoes to paste factories in Balıkesir and neighboring provinces. The fragrant Sındırgı tomato, renowned for its quality, is expected to yield over 60,000 metric tons (mt) this season. However, rising input costs are proving to be a continuous challenge to farmers. Producers sell both paste and table tomatoes directly to consumers at local markets, emphasizing the district’s brand value for aroma, flavor, and resilience. In Manisa's Sarıgöl district, farms are offering direct-to-consumer “Pick Yourself” produce experiences, connecting buyers with fresh grapes, tomatoes, and other crops. Meanwhile, in Batman’s Sason district, heirloom tomatoes grown at high altitude in Soğanlı village produce exceptionally large fruits weighing between 1 kg and 1.5 kg, valued for their natural flavor and quality.

Ukraine

Ukraine’s Vegetable Market Sees Higher Tomato Prices in Autumn 2025

As autumn begins in Ukraine, domestic greenhouse tomato prices are rising due to decreasing supply and stable demand, averaging between USD 0.73/kg (UAH 30/kg) and USD 1.21/kg (UAH 50/kg), a 23% increase compared to the previous week. However, the prices are still lower than quoted a year ago. Seasonal factors, including limited availability of tomatoes which are grown outdoors, are pushing greenhouse tomato prices higher, with supermarket rates ranging from USD 1.46/kg (UAH 60/kg) to USD 1.58/kg (UAH 65/kg). While other vegetables like cabbage are also seeing price increases, early-harvested crops such as potatoes and carrots have slightly decreased in price. In the Kirovohrad region, the vegetable harvest is underway, with improved yields expected this year due to favorable summer rains. However, peppers are smaller than last year, driving up their price to between USD 1.21/kg (UAH 50/kg and USD 1.46/kg (UAH 60/kg). Experts advise adopting adjusted cultivation practices, including greenhouse or tunnel-grown seedlings and determinate tomato varieties, to mitigate frost risk and optimize yields. This reflects the ongoing interplay between seasonal conditions, supply constraints, and market prices in Ukraine’s vegetable sector.

2. Weekly Pricing

Weekly Tomato Pricing Important Exporters (USD/kg)

Yearly Change in Tomato Pricing Important Exporters (W37 2024 to W37 2025) 

Mexico

In W37, Mexico’s wholesale tomato prices averaged USD 0.88/kg, marking a 17.76% week-on-week (WoW) drop, a 16.98% month-on-month (MoM) decline, and a 29.60% year-on-year (YoY) fall. The decline reflects weakened demand in key export markets, particularly the United States (US), following the mid-Jul-25 termination of the Tomato Suspension Agreement and the imposition of a 17.09% duty on Mexican imports. These trade shocks have forced exporters to reroute volumes and adjust pricing, while the government’s August 8, 2025 minimum export price policy (USD 0.95/kg for round/bola, USD 0.88/kg for Roma, and USD 1.70/kg for specialty types) has provided a price floor, keeping quotes near current levels. Sector data highlight the severity of the disruption, with fresh tomato exports down 19.2% YoY in H1-2025, the steepest first-half decline since 2012. This underscores persistent demand uncertainty from the US and is the primary driving factor why prices remain significantly lower than last year despite recent stabilization efforts.

Turkey

In W37, Turkish wholesale tomato prices held steady at USD 0.85/kg for the fourth consecutive week. This stability reflects the late-summer peak in harvesting and Turkey’s role as a leading global producer, which ensures abundant supply and moderates prices during this period. According to the World Processing Tomato Council (WPTC), southern regions had completed harvesting by September 3, while the Bursa area was about halfway through, with progress expected to accelerate over the next two weeks as late planting bunches ripen following earlier high temperatures. However, yields in the later harvest have been weaker, prompting a downward revision of the national production forecast to 2.2 million metric tons (mmt), while harvesting in the Konya region has also begun. It is also worth noting that prices remain 4.94% higher YoY, supported by cost pass-through and steady external demand. At the same time, an increasing share of tomatoes is being directed into value-added products such as dried exports, which is helping sustain the price floor as the fresh season winds down.

France

In W37, French wholesale round tomato prices fell 0.55% WoW to USD 1.82/kg, marking a 23.85% MoM decline and a 10.34% YoY drop, largely driven by abundant supply in the market. Progress in domestic harvesting combined with rising EU imports, particularly from Morocco and Spain, has added pressure, stabilizing prices and limiting further upside. Despite strong French production, growers are struggling to sell their crops as stocks accumulate and sales stagnate. The cooler weather has dampened demand for salads, sharply reducing cherry tomato consumption, while imported Moroccan tomatoes, offered at significantly lower prices, are returning to supermarket shelves in high volumes. This price gap has left French cherry tomatoes unsold, leading financial losses to continue to mount. Producers are urging consumers to choose French-origin tomatoes as a gesture of support for local farms and calling on supermarket chains to prioritize French products during this critical end-of-season period.

3. Actionable Recommendations

Ensure Imported Product Safety in Poland

Polish importers of tomato products should implement stringent pre-shipment quality controls to comply with IJHARS standards. This includes verifying proper labeling, conducting mold and spoilage checks, and confirming compliance with organic certification if applicable. Exporters targeting Poland should adopt traceability systems and pest management protocols to reduce the risk of shipment rejection, thereby protecting market access and brand reputation.

Modernize Labor Relations to Boost Sector Competitiveness

Murcia tomato producers should fully implement the new collective labor agreement, focusing on flexible work hours, reduced annual working time, and wage adjustments. By fostering a socially responsible work environment, improving work-life balance, and ensuring equality measures, producers can attract and retain skilled labor, enhance operational efficiency, and reinforce the high quality and reliability of Murcia tomatoes in both domestic and export markets.

Leverage Local Brand Value and Consumer Engagement

Tomato producers in Balıkesir and Manisa should capitalize on the unique qualities of local tomato varieties through direct-to-consumer initiatives such as “Pick Yourself” experiences and specialty marketing, highlighting aroma, flavor, and resilience. Investment in infrastructure improvements, like loading ramps and cold chain logistics, can reduce post-harvest losses and maintain consistent supply to paste factories. Combining branding efforts with modern farm management practices can maximize revenue and strengthen regional tomato market positioning.

Sources: Tridge, Agrodiario, Agrolink, AgroPolska, Kamu3, Superagronom, Unian