Tomato market in Czechia

Earlier Report Observations

The volume of the Czech fresh tomato market declined from nearly 99 000 t in 2018 to around 80 000 t in 2020, as import volumes fell. The downward trend continued but slowed in 2021, and the market stabilized in 2022 with a drop of less than 2%. This stabilization coincided with the repeal of national labeling requirements for fresh fruit and vegetables (Decree No. 157/2003 Coll.) effective January 2022, which aligned Czech rules with EU marketing standards and simplified trade.

While imports kept decreasing, domestic tomato production expanded sharply from 8 730 t in 2020 to over 20 000 t in 2023. This growth in local output helped offset the lower import volumes and contributed to a slight market recovery in 2023, when total consumption reached 77 800 t. Consumer interest in organic and specialty tomato varieties, noted in 2024, supported the shift toward higher-value domestic production.

In 2024, further regulatory changes took effect, including the simplification of EU marketing standards for fruit and vegetables (reducing the number of specific standards from 36 to 10) and updated EU classification, labeling, and packaging (CLP) regulations. These measures aim to streamline cross-border trade. Additionally, practices such as chlorination and waxing of tomatoes before packaging, reported by the State Agricultural and Food Inspection, highlight ongoing efforts to ensure product safety and shelf life.

Production tomato in Czechia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of tomato, 2017-2020

World map of production of tomato, 2017-2020

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Production reached its lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, showing a 2.2-fold variation between these years. In 2020, Czechia produced 8 730 tonnes of tomatoes, marking a significant 17.8% drop compared to the previous year. The highest production volume was recorded in 2019 at 10 620 tonnes, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 at 109.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Czechia in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The market displayed volatility in these years. Values reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 2.1-fold swing between these periods. In 2020, tomato output in Czechia was valued at 14 341 thousand US dollars, showing a modest 3.7% decline relative to the prior year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 14 887 thousand US dollars, and the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 at 101.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Czechia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports tomato from Czechia

Exports in kind, t

Tomato exports from Czechia declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export volume amounted to 6 311 tonnes, reflecting an 8.9% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 30.9%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 11.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Slovakia dominated the country structure of exports in kind, accounting for 87.2% of total flows, while other destinations had relatively small shares.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After a two-year decline, Czechia's tomato export value increased. In 2020, exports totaled 10.4 million US dollars, up by 6.8% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 22.7%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 8.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 9.7 million US dollars, and the largest year-on-year decline occurred in 2018 at 26.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Slovakia dominated the partner structure for exports in value terms, with a share of 84.9% of total flows; other markets had comparatively modest shares.

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

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

Imports tomato to Czechia

Imports in kind, t

Imported tomato volumes in Czechia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 77 949 tonnes, showing an 11.5% decline from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 17.4%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 6.2%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 95 745 tonnes, and the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 at 1.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain (26.6% of imports in kind), the Netherlands (26.5% of imports in kind), and Morocco (15.3% of imports in kind) were the main markets for imports in kind, together accounting for 68.3% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Foreign tomato supplies to Czechia declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Czechia imported approximately 107.2 million US dollars of tomatoes, which is 5.6% lower relative to the prior year. Over the period 2017-2020, imports decreased by 12.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -4.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands (24.9% of imports in value terms), Spain (22.5% of imports in value terms), and Morocco (19.9% of imports in value terms) formed the core of imports in value terms, together taking 67.3% of total flows.

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

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