Tomato market in Eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The fresh tomato market in Eastern Asia grew to 63.9 million tons in 2019, driven by urbanization and modern logistics needs which prioritized the breeding of high-yield, transport-resistant varieties. The deployment of smart agriculture, including the launch of the country's first 5G farm in 2019, enhanced production efficiency. Market volume then moderated to 61.9 million tons in 2020, a year when China solidified its position as the world's largest tomato producer.

From 2021 to 2023, market volume stabilized between 62.2 and 62.7 million tons annually. This period was marked by the rapid expansion of the small tomato segment, where cultivation area in key regions like Ningxia increased nearly tenfold. Adverse weather conditions in 2021 constrained supply and pushed prices higher, elevating the market value to $79.7 billion. Subsequently, significant capacity growth in the processed tomato industry, reaching 8 million tons by 2023, led to price adjustments and a decline in the fresh market's value to $67.4 billion. Product innovation, such as upgraded 100% tomato juice and new formats like tomato chips, alongside the adoption of smart sensors and improved cold-chain logistics, diversified the market.

Production tomato in Eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of tomato, 2017-2020

World map of production of tomato, 2017-2020

Eastern Asia's tomato production volume declined after two years of growth. In 2020, the region produced 62 085 K t of tomatoes, marking a slight reduction of 3.0% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.0%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 64 017 K t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 3.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Eastern Asia's tomato production value increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, tomato output was valued at 73 183 M $ US, representing a 3.4% rise compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 31.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.4%.

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

Exports tomato from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

Tomato exports from Eastern Asia increased after two years of decline. In 2020, shipments reached 243.9 K t, showing a significant uptick of 25.3% compared to 2019. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 194.7 K t, following the largest decline of 19.0% in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia, Vietnam, and Kazakhstan were the principal buyers of Eastern Asian tomatoes in volume terms. Russia accounted for 33.7% of exports, Vietnam for 18.1%, and Kazakhstan for 3.1%. Together, these three countries represented 54.9% of total tomato exports from the region.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of tomato exports from Eastern Asia increased after two years of decline. In 2020, exports reached 287.5 M $ US, marking a steep increase of 33.6% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value grew by 25.8%, equating to an 8.0% annualized rate. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 215.1 M $ US, following a decline of 3.2% in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia, Vietnam, and Kazakhstan led the structure of tomato exports from Eastern Asia in value terms. Russia accounted for 31.7% of export value, Vietnam for 11.4%, and Kazakhstan for 2.5%. Collectively, these three countries represented 45.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports tomato to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Tomato imports into Eastern Asia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were recorded at 25.5 K t, which is 8.7% lower than the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import volume increased by 22.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.9%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 29.3 K t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 40.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and Mexico played notable but not dominant roles as suppliers of tomatoes to Eastern Asia in volume terms. The Netherlands accounted for 4.6% of imports, New Zealand for 4.0%, and Mexico for 2.7%. Together, their joint share reached only 11.4% of total tomato imports into the region.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Eastern Asia's tomato imports declined after two years of growth. In 2020, imports amounted to 57.7 M $ US, remaining essentially unchanged from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 40.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 57.7 M $ US, following the largest increase of 37.7% in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, tomato imports into Eastern Asia in value terms were distributed across a wide range of partner countries. The Netherlands accounted for 18.3% of import value, Mexico for 7.9%, and Canada for 7.8%. Together, these three countries represented just 33.9% of total import flows.

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

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