W50 Tomato Update: Price Surge in Morocco, EU Status for Turkish Tomato Products, and Tomato Greenhouse Project Inspection in the Philippines

Extremadura's Tomato Industry Faces 9.5% YoY Increase in Production Costs

Agro-food Cooperatives Extremadura's Tomato Industry Working Group has released a study on the production costs of tomato cultivation in the Spanish region, based on data from 1.9 million tons harvested in 2023. The study estimates a 9.5% year-over-year (YoY) increase in tomato production costs per hectare (ha), reaching USD 13,754 (EUR 12,540). The price to grow tomatoes will rise to USD 158.87/ton (EUR 144.85/ton) during the next campaign, a 4.32% YoY increase, which costs USD 152.29/ton (EUR 138.85/ton). Meanwhile, direct costs increased by 10.4% YoY, mainly due to rising prices of phytosanitary products, labor and treatments, seeds and plants, and 8.6% in indirect costs. Agro-food Cooperatives Extremadura has sent the study to the Agricultural Price Observatory for information on the region's agricultural and livestock crop management.

Morocco Faces Tomato Price Surge Due to Cold Weather and Diseases in Farms

Tomato prices in Morocco have increased, reaching USD 1.39/kg (MAD 14/kg), despite the Minister of Agriculture's absence of a communication policy. The price rise is due to cold weather and diseases in tomato farms. In Dec-23, the 30-kg box of tomatoes costs between USD 14.90 and 29.81 (MAD 150 and 300), depending on quality and size.

Turkish Tomato Greenhouse in Antalya’s Kumluca Damaged by Unidentified Person

An unidentified person damaged a tomato greenhouse in Antalya's Kumluca district in Turkey, causing the death of 3.8 thousand tomato seedlings. The tomato greenhouse owner in Antalya expected to harvest USD 15 thousand from the tomatoes, but agricultural engineers warned of slow death.

Turkmenistan Expands Greenhouse Farming Amid Challenges in Tomato Exports

Turkmenistan is experiencing a significant investment increase in greenhouse farming due to its large natural gas reserves and warm winter. The country is also a global leader in tomato exports, replacing Uzbekistan in 2022. However, the country experiences challenges in marketing due to the expected surge in supply and its distance from markets. Turkmenistan should improve quality, sorting, and logistics to diversify tomato exports. The country should also explore exporting winter tomatoes to the EU, ensuring production certification and logistics solutions.

South Korea Inspects Greenhouse Project for Sustainable Agriculture in the Philippines

South Korea has inspected a greenhouse project at the Department of Agriculture Western Visayas Integrated Agricultural Research Center (WESVIARC), led by the South Korean Embassy in the Philippines. The project aims to enhance sustainable practices in the Philippines' food, agriculture, forestry, and fisheries. The three thousand-square-meter Korean-style facility site includes ten greenhouses, six for mushroom cultivation, and four for tomatoes and paprika.