Tomato in Portugal: production under pressure

The tomato cultivation in Portugal is going through a decisive and challenging moment. According to Pedro Pereira Dias, Director of A Sementeira, the country consolidated itself in 2023 as the 3rd largest producer of tomato in the European Union, a position that reflects the strength and relevance of this sector for national agriculture and exports. However, the numbers also bring a warning sign: Portugal lost about 10% of its production share compared to other European countries, which highlights a loss of competitiveness in an increasingly demanding market. For 2025, the outlook is not encouraging. The reduction in the installed area and the delay in the development of crops point to a maintenance of production levels, without relevant gains in terms of volume. This situation puts at risk not only Portugal's presence in the European market but also the ability to maintain the international prestige built over the years, based on the quality and high standard of Portuguese ...