W49 Tomato Update: Brazil Faces 40.5% YoY Price Surge, Ukrainian Prices Decline by 20% WoW, Turkmenistan Expands Exports, Israel Grapples with Shortage and Debate on Import Quotas

Tomato Prices Soar by 40.5% YoY Amidst Climatic Challenges, Affecting Essential Ingredients and Raising Concerns About Affordability

Brazil is facing a food crisis, with tomato prices rising by 40.5% YoY. The increase is attributed to extreme heat, causing reduced production and higher prices. Despite this, Brazil's average consumption remains at 4.2 kg per person per year, and tomato production has shown stability over the past two decades. Other essential foods like beans, potatoes, onions, and olive oil are also experiencing price hikes, raising concerns about Brazilians' purchasing capacity and food and meal assistance benefits.

Ukrainian Tomato Prices Declined by 20% WoW in W49

Tomatoes are facing a decline in selling prices in Ukraine due to greenhouse complexes ending the season for current sales. Wholesale companies hesitate to purchase local tomatoes due to low retail sales rates. However, the remaining companies are purchasing tomatoes in small quantities for W49's sales and planning to increase volumes before the New Year holidays. In W49, Local tomatoes from greenhouse plants are at USD 1.09 to 1.64/kg (UAH 40 to 60/kg), which is, on average, a 20% WoW decrease. Meanwhile, local tomatoes in Ukraine have decreased by 27% YoY.

UPA-UCE Extremadura Calls on Tomato Industries to Raise Prices for 2023/24 Campaign Amidst Climatic and Phytosanitary Challenges

Unión de Pequeños Agricultores y Unión de Campesinos de Extremadura (UPA-UCE) Extremadura urges tomato industries to increase prices to cover production costs in the next campaign. Despite uncertainties due to weather, producers are encouraged to close prices higher than last year. The industry has seen a positive year with increased profits but faces challenges in 2023 due to climatological and phytosanitary issues.

Increasing Turkmenistan's Tomato Export Market and Future Greenhouse Expansion Plans

Turkmenistan has a greenhouse area of around 800 hectares (ha), 95% dedicated to tomato cultivation, with new ones under construction. The average yield in modern greenhouses is 250 to 300 tons/ha, with cooling equipment allowing up to 400 to 450 tons/ha. In 2021, Turkmenistan exported 71 thousand tons of tomatoes, increasing to 104 thousand tons in 2022. From early 2023, exports reached approximately 103 thousand tons, establishing Turkmenistan as a significant tomato supplier to Russia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. The country is also an important supplier to Russia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. Future greenhouse expansions include large-scale cucumber, bell pepper, aubergine, strawberry, and banana cultivation.

Israeli Tomato Shortage Caused Price Surge in Dec-23, Prompts Debate on Import Quotas Amidst Decreased Plantings Since War

Israel faces a tomato shortage, causing a price surge and potential dominance of imported vegetables. The head of an Israeli retail chain has urged the government to prioritize domestically grown fruits and vegetables over expanding import quotas. Tomato prices range from USD 1.34 to 2.70/kg (EUR 1.24 to 2.5/kg), with a 30 to 50% decrease in plantings since the war began. The government's duty-free import quota discussions focus on whether it will be 40% or 30% of average consumption.