Tomato market in Colombia

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the Colombian fresh tomato market reached 596 thousand tons. This level was supported by the growing importance of protected cultivation in greenhouses, which delivered higher yields per unit area compared to open-field farming, boosting local supply. Additionally, the Ministry of Agriculture and financial entities like FINAGRO directed significant funding toward agricultural infrastructure and irrigation works, particularly in tomato-growing departments such as Boyacá, Antioquia and Cundinamarca. Market volume then dipped to 555.8 thousand tons in 2019. A sharp recovery followed in 2020, with volume jumping to 822.6 thousand tons, a surge linked to increased worldwide demand for fresh fruits and vegetables driven by healthier lifestyle trends, which led Colombian producers to adopt safer cultivation practices and more ecological supply chains.

Growth continued in 2021 as the market expanded to 850.6 thousand tons, sustained by the ongoing shift toward sustainable and ecologically responsible tomato production with an emphasis on food safety. Colombian tomato exports between April 2021 and April 2022 reflected this growing market, influenced by changing global and local consumption patterns favoring fresh, healthy produce. Volume rose further to 874.9 thousand tons in 2022. By 2023, the market reached 896 thousand tons, with persistent consumer preference for high-quality fresh tomatoes focusing on organoleptic traits like flavor, color and texture, alongside the increased use of greenhouses or plastic tunnels to supply the local market with quality produce. In value terms, the market peaked at $1,086 million in 2022 before easing to $1,029 million in 2023.

Production tomato in Colombia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of tomato, 2017-2020

World map of production of tomato, 2017-2020

Colombia produced 823.3 thousand tons of tomatoes in 2020, marking a 47.9% increase compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 73.8%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 20.2%. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, when production fell by 6.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of tomato production in Colombia reached 675.1 million US dollars, up 13.2% year-over-year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 596.3 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 767.7 million US dollars. The largest decline happened in 2019 with a 22.3% decrease, and the biggest increase occurred in 2018 with a 15.7% rise.

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

Exports tomato from Colombia

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Colombia's tomato export volume hit its lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 5.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exports amounted to 699.0 tons, down 23.7% from the previous year. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 916.7 tons, and the largest increase was in 2019 with a 199.5% surge.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Curacao and Aruba were the main buyers of Colombian tomatoes, together accounting for 82.3% of total exports in volume, with other countries making up the rest.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market displayed an unstable trend over this period. Colombia's tomato export value reached its lowest in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 4-fold swing. In 2020, exports were valued at 573.1 thousand US dollars, a 41.6% decrease from 2019. The highest value was in 2019 at 981.9 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase was in 2019 with a 149.2% jump.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Curacao (45.2% of export value), Aruba (32.1%), and France (17.5%) formed the core of Colombia's tomato exports in value terms, together representing 94.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports tomato to Colombia

Based on available market information, Colombia did not import tomatoes from 2017 to 2020.