Tomato market in Ethiopia

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the market volume for fresh or chilled tomatoes in Ethiopia was 88.6 thousand tons. The launch of the E-PLAN project to introduce reusable plastic crates for transport helped reduce post-harvest losses, supporting available supply. However, in 2019, the market contracted to 63.9 thousand tons due to a sharp decline in demand for Ethiopian tomatoes, which led to lower production. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused a surge in domestic vegetable prices, stimulating production to 112.4 thousand tons, while export disruptions increased domestic supply, raising the market volume to 94.5 thousand tons.

After the peak in 2020, the market volume fell to 78.8 thousand tons in 2021 amid domestic market stabilization and recovery of export prices. In 2022, the implementation of policy incentives for investment in agro-processing and new packaging solutions helped maintain production at 102.3 thousand tons, but rising exports reduced domestic supply to 75.6 thousand tons. By 2023, continued post-harvest loss reduction projects and a focus on food safety contributed to production growth to 106.5 thousand tons, while lower exports allowed the market volume to increase to 83.6 thousand tons.

Production tomato in Ethiopia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of tomato, 2017-2020

World map of production of tomato, 2017-2020

Following a two-year decline, tomato production in Ethiopia rebounded in 2020. That year, Ethiopia produced 112.4 K t of tomatoes, marking a significant increase of 26.1% compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production decreased by 13%, which translates to an average annual decline of 4.5%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 89.1 K t, while the largest year-on-year drop occurred in 2018 with a 20.8% decrease.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

After rising for two consecutive years, Ethiopia's tomato production value declined in 2020. The output was valued at 25 694 K $ US that year, down by 5.6% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value increased by 2.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 27 207 K $ US, which also saw the largest year-on-year increase of 6.0%.

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

Exports tomato from Ethiopia

Exports in kind, t

The export market showed considerable volatility during these years. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 2.8-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, Ethiopia's tomato export volume totaled 17 886 t, representing a sharp decrease of 29.0% compared to 2019. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 25 186 t, which also experienced the largest year-on-year increase of 82.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Djibouti and Somalia dominated Ethiopia's tomato exports in volume, accounting for 94.8% of the total. The remaining share was distributed among other destinations, each with relatively minor individual contributions.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Export values fluctuated significantly, with a 4.4-fold difference between the low in 2017 and the high in 2019. In 2020, Ethiopia's tomato exports were valued at 4 090 K $ US, representing a 46.8% decrease compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 7 690 K $ US, which also saw the largest year-on-year increase of 122.3%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Somalia and Djibouti remained the primary destinations for Ethiopia's tomato exports in value terms, jointly accounting for 98.7% of total flows. Other trading partners individually represented much smaller shares.

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

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

Imports tomato to Ethiopia

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Ethiopia's tomato imports totaled 0.1 t, showing little change compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 33.2%, which equates to an average annual growth rate of 10.0%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, South Africa and Morocco were the main sources for Ethiopia's tomato imports in volume, together accounting for 100.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Ethiopia imported tomatoes valued at 0 K $ US, showing minimal change compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import values decreased by 5.9%, with a compound annual decline rate of 2.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Morocco and South Africa formed a duopoly in Ethiopia's tomato imports in value terms, with a combined share of 100.0% of total flows.

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

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