Tomato market in Argentina

Earlier Report Observations

The Argentine fresh tomato market volume grew consistently from 1.1 million tonnes in 2018 to over 1.4 million tonnes in 2023, a 28% expansion over the period. Growth accelerated notably in 2021, with a 12% surge to 1.35 million tonnes, after annual increases of around 4% in the preceding years. The market maintained this upward trajectory despite a modest deceleration in 2022.

Production remained highly concentrated in the Mendoza province, which supplied a dominant share of tomatoes to the Buenos Aires Central Market. Exports of fresh tomatoes saw a sharp rise, increasing by 66% to 25 thousand tonnes in 2022. However, the domestic market absorbed the bulk of the output, supported by direct sales through regulated wholesale markets and local fairs, which facilitated access to fresh produce.

The market structure was stable, with an estimated 60-70% of production destined for fresh consumption and the remainder for processing. Per capita consumption held steady at about 16 kg per year, underpinning consistent domestic demand. This stable foundation, coupled with the established supply chain, supported the market's overall growth throughout the six-year period.

Production tomato in Argentina

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Argentina ranked 19th globally in tomato production from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of tomato, 2017-2020

World map of production of tomato, 2017-2020

Argentina's tomato production grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 1 221 thousand tonnes of tomatoes, marking a modest 5.1% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production rose by 18.7%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 5.9%.

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

Exports tomato from Argentina

Exports in kind, t

The export market showed volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 3.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Argentina exported 23 713 tonnes of tomatoes, representing a sharp year-over-year increase of 157.1%. The minimum export volume was recorded in 2018 at 7 502 tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a drop of 20.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Paraguay was the primary export partner for Argentina in terms of volume, accounting for 96.5% of total tomato exports.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Argentina's tomato exports in value terms increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported tomatoes worth 1 983 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp year-over-year rise of 36.2%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 44.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 350 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a decrease of 1.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Argentina's tomato exports in value terms were heavily concentrated on Paraguay, which accounted for 75.8% of total flows; other countries together made up the remaining share.

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

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

Imports tomato to Argentina

Imports in kind, t

The import market displayed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Imports bottomed in 2019 and peaked in 2018, with a 30-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Argentina imported 1 559 tonnes of tomatoes, showing an abrupt year-over-year increase of 580.8%. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 229 tonnes, while the maximum was in 2018 at 6 878 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 96.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Argentina's tomato imports in volume were almost entirely tied to Brazil, which accounted for 97.6% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import levels fluctuated significantly, with a 55-fold difference between the high in 2017 and the low in 2019. In 2020, Argentina imported tomatoes worth 841 thousand US dollars, up by 1,809.1% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 44 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a decrease of 97.9%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Brazil was the key partner for Argentina's tomato imports in value terms, accounting for 92.2% of total flows.

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

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