Tomato market in Australia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the volume of Australia's fresh tomato market declined from 385.8 thousand tons to 297.5 thousand tons. Adverse climatic factors, including heat stress and floods, reduced productivity during these years. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further strained supply chains through labor shortages and transport disruptions, limiting market availability despite a concurrent rise in consumer demand for fresh produce.

A sharp rebound occurred in 2021, with market volume surging to 471.2 thousand tons. This growth was primarily driven by greater investment in refrigerated storage and transport infrastructure, which alleviated distribution bottlenecks, alongside expanded production of tomato varieties with enhanced quality and flavor traits that catered to evolving consumer preferences.

Subsequent years saw a contraction, with volume falling to 440.3 thousand tons in 2022 and 320.4 thousand tons in 2023. Global supply chain disruptions and inflationary pressures increased costs and affected availability in 2022. Persistent climatic and logistical challenges then continued to constrain supply in 2023, even as producers adopted more advanced agricultural technologies.

Production tomato in Australia

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of tomato, 2018-2021

World map of production of tomato, 2018-2021

After two consecutive years of decline, Australia's tomato production rebounded. In 2021, the country produced 472.2 thousand tonnes of tomatoes, marking a significant 58.7% increase compared to 2020. Looking at the broader period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 22.2%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 6.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2020 at 297.5 thousand tonnes, while the sharpest decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 14.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Australia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports tomato from Australia

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Between 2018 and 2020, export volumes varied significantly, with a 2.1-fold difference between the peak in 2018 and the trough in 2020. In 2021, Australia exported 1 024 tonnes of tomatoes, representing a sharp year-over-year increase of 96.0%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 522 tonnes, and the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 35.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, New Zealand, Singapore, and Hong Kong consistently served as the primary destinations for Australia's tomato exports by volume. New Zealand accounted for 34.9% of exports, Singapore for 30.0%, and Hong Kong for 11.7%. Together, these three markets represented 76.6% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Australia in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the period. The highest export value was observed in 2021, while the lowest occurred in 2020, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 2 times. In 2021, Australia's tomato exports reached 3 858 thousand US dollars, a substantial 95.1% increase compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 1 977 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline took place in 2019 with a drop of 20.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, Singapore, New Zealand, and Hong Kong dominated the structure of Australia's tomato exports by value. Singapore led with a 35.6% share, followed by New Zealand at 22.2%, and Hong Kong at 17.7%. Collectively, these three partners accounted for 75.6% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Australia in value, 2018-2021

Imports tomato to Australia

Imports in kind, t

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Import levels fluctuated dramatically, with a 39-fold difference between the high in 2019 and the low in 2021. In 2021, Australia imported 25 tonnes of tomatoes, marking an abrupt decrease of 95.8% compared to the prior year. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 962 tonnes, and the largest increase occurred in the same year with a rise of 74.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia in kind, 2018-2021, t

Throughout the 2018–2021 period, New Zealand remained the nearly exclusive supplier of tomatoes to Australia by volume, accounting for 99.6% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Australia in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. From 2019 to 2021, import values showed a peak-to-trough amplitude of 43 times. In 2021, Australia imported 46 thousand US dollars worth of tomatoes, down by 94.7% year-over-year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 1 954 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in that same year with an 82.5% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, the partner base for tomato imports by value was extremely narrow, with New Zealand alone responsible for 99.6% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Australia in value, 2018-2021