W9: Weekly Tomato Update
United States
Price Decrease of Mexican Roma Tomatoes During W9 in the United States Market (Mar 1)
In W9, warm weather in the pacific region of Mexico has impacted the production volumes of tomatoes, increasing the daily harvests. Production was exported to the United States and with expensive market offers, the price dropped. According to the suspension agreement between US and Mexico regarding Roma tomatoes, the minimum reference price is USD 8.30/25 lb box.
Bulgaria
Climate Change Threatens Bulgarian Pink Tomato (Mar 2)
The pink tomato grown in Bulgaria is losing the battle against the Tuta absoluta caterpillar, which can destroy 100% of the crop. Desislava Dimitrova, a professor at BAS, is the coordinator of Slow Food for Bulgaria, a non-profit association for the preservation of traditional, food and cultural diversity. Kurtovo Konare is a historical place for Bulgarian horticulture, as the first pink tomatoes were grown here. The tomato has a thin skin, making it difficult to transport, but it has a long shelf life, lasting more than ten days without rotting and retaining its flavor.
Europe
Dishes Without Tomatoes: Another Consequence of European Inflation (Feb 27)
The European Union faces one of the worst economic crises in its history due to the war between Ukraine and Russia. It has caused a shortage in tomato cultivation in the UK, leading to supermarket chains setting a purchase limit per person and major UK farmers delaying the planting of crops due to high energy costs.
Low Availability of Dutch and Belgian Tomatoes in EU (Mar 2)
Turkish and Spanish deliveries dominated TOVS, with Italian tomatoes making up the bulk. Cherry tomatoes came primarily from Italy and Spain, while Turkey and Spain set the tone for beef tomatoes. Round tomatoes came mainly from Morocco, Turkey, and Spain. Dutch and Belgian shipments were small, and Spanish lots had limited availability. Turkish shipments benefited the most, but the coloration of Moroccan batches was not always convincing.
Germany
Half Fewer Promotions With Tomatoes on the German Market (Mar 3)
The first unlit tomato growers are coming into production in the Netherlands and Belgium, but AMI market analysts do not expect an immediate relaxation of the tightness in the tomato market due to drying up supply from Turkey. The demand for tomatoes in Germany is met by supply from Spain and Morocco, and supermarkets are offering 25 promotions with tomatoes in W9, up from 49 in 2022.
Hungary
Restriction on Tomato Export in Turkey in Hungary (Mar 3)
Researchers from Plant Protection Institute and Univer Product Plc. researchers have identified a new type of resistance-breaking strain of tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) in Hungary. This strain was able to infect tomato plants with the Sw-5b resistance gene. Molecular analysis of the NSm avirulence determinant revealed a single alteration in the NSm protein, D122G mutation, the first report to identify this amino acid alteration associated with resistance-breaking phenotype in resistant tomato plants. The origin of this strain is still in question, but it is possible that it was introduced from another area. Monitoring the spread of this new mutant is of primary importance in the future.
Netherlands
Thirteen New Tobrfv Infections in the Netherlands (Feb 28)
The Netherlands officially has 50 farms infected with Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV). Compared to the previous overview from June 2022, 13 new farms have been infected. Four farms were released by the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA). Among them is at least one farm in the municipality of Lansingerland. That municipality is missing from the previous official overview in the list of municipalities.
Morocco
The prices of vegetables have finally started to decline in most Moroccan markets, especially tomatoes after a wave of high prices threatened social peace. Professional sources estimate that the national production of tomatoes will comfortably cover the demand for this substance during Ramadan and that the selling price should not exceed USD 0.67/kg (MAD 7/kg).
Tomato Prices Continue to Decline in the Largest Wholesale Market in South Morocco (Feb 27)
Tomato prices in the South region of Morocco have decreased by up to 70%, with the box price dropping from USD 28.55 (MAD 300) to USD 9.52 (MAD 100). Traders link the drop in prices to the abundance of supply, but the relative rise in temperature in the region has led to rapid ripening and late ripening, leading to an increase in the price.
New Moroccan Export Quota Halves Tomato Price on the Domestic Market (Feb 27)
Morocco is imposing quotas on tomato exports to boost local supply and lower prices before Ramadan. Rising input prices, pest pressure, and persistent drought have combined to hamper the production of the world's fourth-largest tomato shipper. The restrictions on Moroccan packers could exacerbate production shortages, which led to rationing in some European supermarkets.
Tomatoes From Morocco Are Very Popular With Consumers (Feb 27)
Morocco supplanted Spain in the tomato market in the European Union (EU), with a volume of 558.27M kg in 2022, 71.33% more than in 2013 when the volume was 232.42M kg. The sales value was USD 1,347.93M (EUR 1,279.83M), with an average price of 1.99 euros per kilo, compared to USD 1,117,85M (EUR 1,061.37M) in 2013.
Morocco Sold More Tomatoes Than Spain in the EU in 2022 (Mar 1)
In 2022, Morocco overtook Spain as a tomato supplier in the EU after surpassing the volume of Spanish tomatoes sold in the Community market for the first time. Over the past decade, the Netherlands and Spain have led tomato exports to the EU. In 2013 they sold 1,579.04M kg of tomatoes in the EU, accounting for 60% of the EU's tomato offer.
Slovakia
First Record of Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus in Slovakia (Mar 1)
The NPPO of Slovakia recently informed the EPPO Secretariat of the first finding of the tomato brown rugose fruit virus (Tobamovirus, ToBRFV – EPPO A2 List) on its territory. The virus was detected in the municipality of Levice (Western Slovakia) in a greenhouse (2.5 ha) producing tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) fruit. The seed originated in the Netherlands, and the seedlings were grown by an Austrian company.
Turkiye
Tomato Prices Soar in Ukraine as Imports From Türkiye Lack (Feb 27)
The supply of greenhouse tomatoes on the Ukrainian market has decreased due to a reduction in imports from Türkiye, leading to higher prices for imported tomatoes.
Restriction on Tomato Export in Turkey (Mar 5)
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has restricted tomato exports until April 14, 2023 due to price increases and the earthquake disaster affecting 11 provinces. The restriction does not cover transactions that have been submitted to the ministry or the TAREKS system, and export applications to regions under security in the TRNC, Palestine, Azerbaijan, and Syria continue to be made. The price of tomatoes rose to 20 TL this week, causing market prices to exceed USD 1.58 (TRY 30).
Producers Want the Restriction on Tomato Exports to Be Lifted (Mar 4)
The UYMSİB Chairman of the Board warned that the prohibition of exports in Turkey during this period will accelerate the escape from production and lead to the loss of export markets. Single-planting tomato production is in a very high harvest period, and the amount of tomato production will increase with the seasonal warming. The only alternative that can keep producers alive in the face of these costs is the export of a part of the produced product. In May 2023, the production amount will be below the seasonal normals, and prices will be above the seasonal conditions.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Turkey has decided to limit the export of tomatoes until mid-April 2023 due to the abnormal growth in the cost of tomatoes and the consequences of the recent earthquake. This will have an impact on the market for greenhouse tomatoes in countries dependent on Turkish imports, such as Ukraine and Moldova. Ukrainian importers are trying to find alternatives, but there are risks that this will not be able to compensate for Turkish supplies. By the end of W11, experts expect a price increase against the backdrop of the absence of these products, and the only limiting factor may be one of the exceptions specified in the Turkish ministry's decree.
Explanation From Ti̇M Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Sector Board on the Restriction of Tomato Exports (Mar 5)
The Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM) Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Sector Board requested that the decision taken by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry to limit tomato exports until April 14, 2023, be reviewed. The Board stated that the ban would harm the producers and cause permanent destruction in the export markets and that there is already enough production to meet both domestic demand and exports. The main reason for the price increase in tomatoes and other food products is the increase in input costs, and the decrease in production will further affect the prices, leading to inflation.
Reaction From Exporters to the Ban on Tomato Exports in Turkey (Mar 5)
Tomato, a favorite export product of the fresh fruit and vegetable sector, was banned until April 14, 2023, to ensure food supply security and ensure food supply to the earthquake zone.
United Kingdom
Tomato Shortage in the UK Has Politicians Looking For Answers (Mar 1)
Frost, floods, energy prices, and Brexit are among the possible culprits in the shortage of tomatoes, cucumbers, broccoli, and lettuce in the United Kingdom.
