Processed Tomato Products Situation and Outlook
in Selected Countries

Summary

Production of processing tomatoes in 11 major producing countries in 1999 is estimated at a record 25.2 million tons, up 18 percent from the previous season, due mainly to the dramatic increase in U.S. production. Production of tomato paste in 1999/2000 in selected countries, excluding the United States, is estimated at a record 1.57 million tons, up 4 percent from 1998/99. With the exception of Greece, the EU countries accounted for the largest gains in paste output. Canned pack for the same period is estimated at a record 2.5 million tons, up 20 percent from the previous year. Italy accounted for 86 percent of the total canned pack for selected countries. Tomato paste exports from selected countries, including the United States, in 1999/2000 are forecast at 1.1 million tons, down slightly from the previous season. Lower export volume from Turkey, Greece and Chile were offset by increased shipments from Italy, Portugal, Spain and France. U.S. exports of tomato paste for 1999/2000 are forecast to reach 90,000 tons, up 14 percent from 1998/1999. This increase in sales , due mostly to increased sales to Canada, Mexico and Asian markets–Japan, Korea and the Philippines.

Western Hemisphere

In the United States, production of processing tomatoes under contract in 1999 has been revised upward to 11.4 million tons from 10.9 million tons forecast earlier, due to mainly to an increase in acreage and higher yields in California. This volume is up 34 percent from 1998. The bulk of U.S. tomatoes for processing is for tomato paste production.

In marketing year 1998/99 (July-June), U.S. exports of tomato products–canned tomatoes, ketchup, tomato paste and tomato sauce–totaled 260,745 tons, valued at $215 million, down 14 percent in volume and 9 percent in value from the previous year. Canada was the biggest U.S. customer for the tomato paste, sauce and canned tomatoes, and Japan was the largest customer for U.S. ketchup.

U.S. imports of processed tomato products–canned tomatoes, ketchup, tomato paste and sauce–in 1998/99 totaled 200,461 tons, up 57 percent from the previous year, due mainly to a dramatic increase in tomato paste imports from Chile and Mexico.

In Mexico, production of tomatoes for processing in 1999 has been revised upward to 380,000 tons from 310,000 tons forecast earlier, due mainly to an increase in fresh market use and export demand for tomato paste. Tomato paste output in Mexico in 1999/2000 (March to February) has been revised to 55,000 tons from 46,000 tons forecast earlier. The United States continues to be Mexico’s major market for tomato paste.

In Brazil, production of tomatoes for processing in 1999 forecast earlier at 1.05 million tons, remains unchanged. Production of tomato paste in 1999 forecast earlier at 107,000 tons has been revised downward to 106,000 tons. Production of tomato paste in Brazil is primarily for domestic consumption. Brazil’s tomato paste exports are small, with the bulk destined for the United States.

In Chile, production of tomatoes for processing in 1999 has been revised upward to 975,000 tons from 859,000 tons, due mostly to an increase in planted area. Tomatoes for processing in Chile are planted from mid-September through December of each year and harvested from around January 10 to April 15. Production of tomato paste in 1999 in Chile is estimated at 117,000 tons, up 3 percent from 1998. Brazil remains Chile’s largest export market for tomato paste with a market share ranging from 17 to 26 percent. Argentina and Japan are the next closest markets.

Mediterranean Area

Production of tomatoes for processing in 1999 in the major producing countries in the European Union (EU) remains at 6.84 million tons, up slightly from 1998.

In Italy, production of tomatoes for processing in 1999 has been revised upward to 4.9 millions from 4.4 million tons, due mainly to a drop in prices which allowed processors to buy a larger share of tomatoes. Production of canned tomatoes in 1999 is now estimated at 2.0 million tons up from 1.7 million tons reported earlier, due to favorable weather and increased acreage. Tomato paste production for the same period has also been revised to 370,000 tons from 335,000 tons, due to increased deliveries to processors. In 1999/2000, Italy’s exports of canned tomatoes and tomato paste are both forecast to increase 7 percent from 1998/99.

In Portugal, production of tomatoes for processing in 1999 has been revised to 999,000 tons, up 1 percent from 1998. Tomato paste output accounts for the bulk of Portugal’s processed production. In 1999, tomato paste production is estimated at 170,000 tons, up slightly from 1998. In 1999, tomato paste exports from Portugal is estimated at 125,000 tons, with the other EU countries accounting for the bulk of exports.

In Greece, production of tomatoes for processing in 1999 estimated at 1.3 million tons, unchanged from an earlier forecast, but down 6 percent from 1998 because of hot weather. Production of tomato paste in 1999 was lowered to 186,000 tons from 212,000 reported earlier, due to largely to the poor quality of fruit deliveries to processors. As a results, minimum grower prices for 1999 were approximately 3 percent lower than in 1998. Canned tomato output in 1999 has been revised to 34,000 tons from 33,400 tons reported earlier, and up 4 percent from 1998. The other EU countries continue to be the largest export market for Greek tomato products.

In Spain, production of tomatoes for processing in 1999 has been revised to 1.7 million tons from 1.3 million tons, due mainly to favorable weather and an increase in planted area. Canned tomato production for the same period has been increased to 232,000 tons from 210,000 tons, mostly as a result of increased deliveries of tomatoes to processors. Tomato paste output in 1999 has also been revised upward to 191,000 tons from 146,000 tons, as a result of higher deliveries to processors as well. The other EU countries account for the bulk of Spain’s canned tomato exports.

In Turkey, production of tomatoes for processing in 1999 has been revised to 1.85 million tons from 1.95 million tons forecast earlier, down 10 percent from 1998, due to the lack of international demand. To compensate for the loss of market share, the Turkish industry is turning increasingly to quality markets, such as Japan and the European Union. Tomato paste production during the same period was revised downward to 295,000 tons from 300,000 tons, due mostly to lack of international demand.

In France, production of tomatoes for processing in 1999 has been revised to 372,000 tons from 300,000 tons, down 18 percent from 1998. During this same period, tomatoes for paste production was revised to 46,000 tons from 39,000 tons reported earlier, up 5 percent from 1998. This increase in production was mainly due to an increase of fruit delivered to processors. French production of canned tomatoes in 1999 is estimated at 20,500 tons, up 5 percent from 1998. France is a net importer of both canned tomatoes and tomato paste.

In Israel, production of tomatoes for processing in 1999 is estimated at 310,000 tons, unchanged from an earlier report, but up 16 percent from 1998. Production of tomato paste in Israel in 1999 is estimated at 34,000 tons, up 10 percent from the previous year. Exports account for about 70 percent of Israel’s total tomato paste pack with the balance consumed domestically.

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

Last modified: Thursday, April 06, 2000