Tomato Processing Reaches A Juicy Conclusion in Northern Italy

The Northern Italian tomato processing season has ended refreshingly. Despite drought conditions and elevated prices, there were increases in production, average yield per hectare, and quality. The season took place regularly, except for a week in August when processing halted due to a heavy downpour throughout the region. 2.9 million tons of tomatoes were processed, a figure significantly above the yearly average for Italy’s second most productive region. Organically cultivated tomatoes accounted for 11% of the total production, while 89% adhered to the regional specifications.

Dry weather conditions cast a dark cloud over tomato production during the summer. However, tomato farmers managed the situation by rationing and practicing prudence in water usage. Late summer rains further minimized production damage. Regional and national farming institutions and the Reclamation Consortia also implemented emergency management initiatives to tackle the water crisis. As a result of these measures, the region witnessed significantly high yields per hectare of 77.9 tons/ha, surpassing the five-year average of 73.1 tons/ha, a growth trend that has been evident over the past three years. Regarding quality, few pathologies allowed for a Brix grade of 4.84 and a deviation of 4.66%, higher than the historical average, resulting in good color and taste.

Another factor that aided the tomato processing season in Northern Italy was the planning of transplants. The timing of the transplants, managed by the Producer Organizations in the region, allowed for the production to be distributed over a long period of time. This period commenced on July 14 and continued with consistent deliveries until September 25. A reference price for raw tomatoes was established between growers and processors in the spring and was upheld throughout the harvest period. This price allowed for a smooth campaign for both parties as prices remained stable and predictable, resulting in better planning and estimations.

The success of the tomato processing season in Northern Italy was evident in the growth of the country’s tomato paste exports. Italy was the second leading supplier this year, with a market share of 22%. The country’s trade showed a gain of 5% compared to the previous year. Prices were also significantly affected by the rise in production costs, and remained elevated throughout the winter of 2021 and the spring of 2022.

The outlook for the coming season in Italy looks positive, as production quantities could rise slightly from the previous season. Harvesting will commence on Nov-22 through Apr-23.