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Processed Tomato Products Situation and Outlook
in Selected Countries

In the United States, production of tomatoes for processing under contract in 2000 is estimated at 9.3 million tons compared with 9.6 million tons forecast earlier, down 18 percent from the record crop in 1999. The decline in output was due mostly to industry seeking to reduce the large carryover stocks and to improve low wholesale prices caused by the closing of Tri-Valley Growers (one of the largest processors of canned tomatoes in the United States). The bulk of U.S. tomatoes for processing goes for tomato paste production.

During the first 11 months of 2000, U.S. exports of tomato products (canned tomatoes, tomato paste, ketchup and tomato sauce) totaled 249,000 tons valued at $196 million, down 1 percent in volume but up 4 percent in value, from the same period in 1999. Canada remained the number one U.S. customer for tomato paste, sauce and canned tomatoes, while Mexico was the top market for ketchup. U.S. imports of processed tomato products (canned tomatoes, ketchup, tomato paste and sauce) during the same period totaled only 84,000 tons valued at $81 million, down 49 percent in volume and 43 percent in value, due mostly to a sizable drop in tomato paste imports from Italy.

In Mexico, production of tomatoes for processing in 2000 is estimated at 210,000 tons, down from 240,000 tons forecast earlier, and down 3 percent from the revised volume in 1999. This decline was due mainly to lower area planted caused by surplus supplies and lower export prices from the previous year’s output. Tomato paste production in Mexico in 2000 is estimated at 28,500 tons compared with 36,000 tons forecast earlier, down 44 percent from 1999, due to low international prices. Tomato paste production for 2001 is forecast at 31,500 tons, up 11 percent from last year.

In Brazil, the production of tomatoes for processing in 2000 is estimated at 1.2 million tons, up from 1.0 million tons forecast earlier, due mostly to higher yielding varieties and few problems with pests. About 70-75 percent of Brazilian production of tomatoes for processing goes into paste and puree, and the remainder into sauces. Output of paste in 2000 is estimated at 110,000 tons, unchanged from an earlier forecast, but down 19 percent from 1999, due to lower yields caused by disease and pest problems. Because of the high costs associated with combating disease and the white fly pest in the Bahia Region, some producers have begun to shift area from tomatoes into the production of bananas, grapes, mangoes, guavas and other more profitable crops.

In Chile, production of tomatoes for processing in 2000 is estimated at 925,000 tons, down from 975,000 tons reported earlier, and 3 percent from 1999. This decline was due to unfavorable weather conditions during the harvesting season. The bulk of Chile’s tomatoes for processing goes into tomato paste pack, with the remainder slated for canned and tomato sauce production. Output of tomato paste in 2000 is estimated at 115,000 tons, down 7 percent from 1999, due to reduced area. Chile’s canned tomato production includes whole peeled, crushed peeled and diced tomatoes.

Mediterranean Area

Production of tomatoes for processing in 2000 in the major producing countries in the European Union (EU) is estimated at 8.5 million tons, down 9 percent from 1999.

In France, production of tomatoes for processing in 2000 has been revised to 370,000 tons from 330,000 tons, down 1 percent from 1999, due mostly to lower planted area. During the same period, the production of tomatoes for paste was revised to 44,500 tons from 43,000 tons, down 7 percent from 1999. French production of canned tomatoes in 2000 was also revised to 17,000 tons from 21,000 tons forecast earlier, down 21 percent from 1999. The downward revisions in paste and canned output were due largely to a decline in fruit delivered to processors. France remains a net importer of both canned tomatoes and tomato paste.

In Turkey, production of tomatoes for processing in 2000 is estimated at 1.7 million tons, down 17 percent from 1999, due mostly to reduced area. Nearly all of Turkey’s industrial tomato output goes into paste production. Production of tomato paste in 2000 is estimated at 260,000 tons, down 19 percent from 1999. After last year’s increased world production of tomato paste accompanied by lower international prices, some local processors have reportedly not been able to pay farmers for last year’s crop. As a result, some producers have switched area from tomatoes to other cash crops, i.e., corn, vegetables and wheat, for a better return on their investment. Turkish tomato paste exporters are said to have lowered their prices from $650 per ton in 1999 to $600 per ton in 2000. China, with its low priced tomato paste, is reported to be a strong competitor to Turkish exports in the Asian markets. Japan, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Italy, Malaysia, and Korea were Turkey’s leading markets in 1999.

In Greece, production of tomatoes for processing in 2000 is estimated at 1.2 million tons, down from 1.3 million tons forecast earlier, and down 8 percent from the previous year. Approximately 90 percent of the industrial tomato production is slated for production of tomato paste, passata and juice. Output of tomato paste in 2000 has been revised to 184,500 tons, down from 209,000 tons forecast earlier, due mainly to a decline in fruit delivered to processors. The quality of last year’s tomatoes varied from good to average. During the same period, production of canned tomatoes is estimated at 31,400 tons, up slightly from the previous year, reflecting an increase in canned pack stocks.

In Spain, production of tomatoes for processing in 2000 is estimated at 1.4 million tons, down from 1.7 million tons forecast earlier, and down 18 percent from 1999. The decline was due mainly to unfavorable weather conditions during the planting season and a lower crop area. During this same period, estimated output of canned tomatoes was revised to 213,000 tons from 229,000 tons, due mostly to fewer deliveries of fruit to processors. Production of tomato paste has also been lowered to 170,000 tons from 184,000 tons reported earlier, due to fewer deliveries of fruit to processors.

In Italy, production of tomatoes for processing in 2000 is estimated at 4.7 million tons, down 4 percent from 1999, due mainly to a reduction in planted area in response to larger stocks and low prices of canned and paste packs. Production of canned tomatoes is estimated at 880,000 tons, up 9 percent from 1999, due to increased deliveries to processors and larger projected exports. Production of tomato paste in Italy in 2000 is estimated at 340,000 tons, down 8 percent from 1999, due to over-supply and low international prices. In 2000, exports accounted for 97 percent of Italy’s total paste pack.

In Portugal, production of tomatoes for processing in 2000 is estimated at 885,000 tons, down 12 percent from 1999, due mostly to heavy rains in April and May, followed by a period of very dry weather during the growing season. Output of processing tomatoes in Portugal consists mainly of tomato paste. Tomato paste production in Portugal in 2000 is estimated at 156,000 tons, down 8 percent from 1999, due to fewer deliveries to processors, caused by adverse weather conditions. Portugal exports the bulk of its tomato paste pack.

In Israel, production of tomatoes for processing in 2000 is estimated at 260,000 tons, down 3 percent from 1999, due mainly to reduced area caused by dry conditions. Production of tomato paste is estimated at 28,000 tons, down 23 percent from 1999. Production of canned tomatoes in Israel in 2000 is estimated at 21,000 tons, down 15 percent from the previous year, because of fewer deliveries to processors. The existence of surplus supplies of tomato products in the international market led processors to contract for fewer tomatoes in 2000. Israel exports the bulk of its canned tomatoes and tomato paste output.

(The FAS Attache Report search engine contains reports on Tomatoes and Tomato Products industries for more than 10 countries, including the United states, Italy, France and Chile. For information on production and trade, contact Emanuel McNeil at 202-720-2083. For information on marketing contact Elizabeth Mello at 202-720-9903.)

Last modified: Wednesday, July 21, 2004