In 2023, the global market for processed tomatoes reached 46.9 million tons, driven by the growing demand for tomato-based products and evolving consumer preferences. Innovation, sustainability, and supply chain optimization are central to the strategies of major industry players, focusing on eco-friendly farming techniques, product diversification, and advanced traceability systems. The market is expected to expand further, with a CAGR of 3.3% from 2024 to 2032, reaching 63.3 million tons.
The top producers of fresh tomatoes are China (67.6 million tons), India, Turkey, and the United States, while Italy ranks fifth with 6.6 million tons. For industrial tomatoes, the United States leads with 12.7 million tons, followed by Italy and China, each with 5.5 million tons. Italy is the global leader in the production of processed tomato products for end consumers.
Global production of industrial tomatoes grew significantly in 2023, reaching 44.6 million tons (+16% compared to 2022). This increase was primarily driven by China (+70%, producing 11 million tons) and the United States, while Italy experienced a slight decline (-1.3%) with a production of 5.4 million tons. Despite this, Italy remains the third-largest global producer, focusing on promoting product quality and countering competition from non-EU countries.
The Issue of Chinese Dumping
Francesco Mutti, CEO of the eponymous Italian company, has raised concerns about the import of tomato concentrate from China, accusing it of threatening the competitiveness and reputation of the Italian tomato industry. Mutti proposed two measures: a ban on imports or the introduction of a 60% duty to align costs with Italian products. He also criticized China’s production conditions, highlighting alleged forced labor practices in the Xinjiang region, which fail to comply with European environmental and social standards.
These proposals reflect a broader need to protect local production and ensure fair competition in the global market. The European Union’s response to these requests will be crucial for the future of the industry.
The 2024/25 Global Campaign and Prices
The production of processing tomatoes is undergoing significant changes. In China, production is growing rapidly, reaching about 11 million tons in 2024, compared to 8 million in 2023. This is causing concerns among major European producers. In the United States, however, production is estimated at about 11.6 million tons, a decrease from previous years due to adverse weather conditions and reduced cultivated areas.
The Situation in Europe
In Italy, for 2024/25, production is expected to reach 5.6 million tons, similar to the estimates from the previous year. In Spain, production is expected to drop to around 2.3 million tons, impacted by drought in key areas such as Extremadura and Andalusia. Turkey is experiencing strong growth, with production estimated at 2.7 million tons, confirming its position as one of the world’s leading producers.
