Market research

Tomato market in Africa

Release date: Mar 27, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"Africa" region includes following countries:

Algeria

Libya

Morocco

Sudan

Western Sahara

Tunisia

Egypt

Cabo Verde

Benin

Gambia

Ghana

Guinea

Côte d'Ivoire

Liberia

Mali

Mauritania

Niger

Nigeria

Guinea-Bissau

Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha

Senegal

Sierra Leone

Togo

Burkina Faso

British Indian Ocean Territory

Burundi

Comoros

Mayotte

Ethiopia

Eritrea

French Southern Territories

Djibouti

Kenya

Madagascar

Malawi

Mauritius

Mozambique

Reunion

Rwanda

Seychelles

Somalia

Zimbabwe

South Sudan

Uganda

Tanzania

Zambia

Angola

Cameroon

Central African Republic

Chad

Congo

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Equatorial Guinea

Gabon

Sao Tome and Principe

Botswana

Lesotho

Namibia

South Africa

Eswatini

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the tomato market volume expanded from 21.6 million tonnes to 23.8 million tonnes. During this period, the sector faced significant post-harvest losses of up to 50% due to a lack of storage and processing infrastructure, which underscored systemic challenges even as production increased.

Market volume stabilized between 2021 and 2022, remaining around 23.5 million tonnes with minimal annual variation. This steady consumption level persisted without major disruptions to overall supply.

In 2023, the market volume rose to 24.7 million tonnes, while the market value surged by 32% to $46.4 billion. This sharp increase in value was driven by rising tomato prices, which resulted from insecurity in key northern growing regions, adverse seasonal weather conditions, and pest outbreaks that tightened supply and prompted temporary closures of major processing plants.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
  2. 4.1.2. In value
    1. 4.1.2.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.2.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.2.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.2.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Africa in kind, 2018-2023, K t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Exports
1. 6.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Imports
1. 7.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production tomato in Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of tomato, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of tomato, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Africa's tomato production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the continent produced 24 412 thousand tonnes of tomatoes, marking a 5.2% year-over-year rise. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 13.6%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 4.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	3.3%	4.6%	5.2%	4.4%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Africa's tomato production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 33 880 million US dollars, up 8.1% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value rose by 37.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 11.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	15.0%	10.4%	8.1%	11.1%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports tomato from Africa

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, tomato shipments from Africa to abroad declined. In 2020, exports reached 657.6 thousand tonnes, down 1.2% from the prior year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 12.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.1%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 665.9 thousand tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 6.8% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	6.8%	6.8%	(1.2%)	4.1%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, France, Russia, and the United Kingdom remained the top buyers of African tomatoes in terms of volume. France accounted for 51.0% of exports, Russia for 9.4%, and the United Kingdom for 6.1%. Together, these three countries represented 66.6% of total tomato exports from Africa.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

Tomato deliveries from Africa have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 912.7 million US dollars, showing a 1.5% improvement compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, export value grew by 36%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	18.9%	12.7%	1.5%	10.8%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, France, Russia, and the United Kingdom led the structure of tomato exports from Africa in value terms. France contributed 57.5% of export value, Russia 8.6%, and the United Kingdom 7.1%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 73.3% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Africa in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports tomato to Africa

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year decline, tomato imports into Africa increased. In 2020, imports amounted to 17.6 thousand tonnes, representing a sharp rise of 46.6% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 12.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.9%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 12.0 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 13.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(11.5%)	(13.6%)	46.6%	3.9%

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Special Categories, China, and Turkey formed the core group of markets for tomato imports into Africa in terms of volume. Special Categories accounted for 0.8% of imports, China for 0.7%, and Turkey for 0.6%. Together, these three represented 2.2% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

Africa imported a total of 21.0 million US dollars worth of tomatoes in 2020, equivalent to a strong increase of 17.8% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 3.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -1.2%. The lowest import value was recorded in 2019 at 17.9 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 24.4 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 26.9% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	11.8%	(26.9%)	17.8%	(1.2%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, tomatoes were imported into Africa from many countries. Even the largest destinations—Turkey, Portugal, and Spain—together represented only 6.3% of total imports in value terms.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Africa in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io