Tomato market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The Italian fresh tomato market expanded in volume from 5.8 million tons in 2018 to 6.7 million tons in 2021. This growth was driven by the increasing dominance of large retail chains and discounters, which accounted for 61% of fruit and vegetable purchases and saw packaged tomato sales rise 8% over the 2019-2021 period. The pandemic in 2020 further influenced demand patterns, contributing to higher retail value despite rising prices from that year onward.

Market volume then contracted to 6.2 million tons in 2022 and 6.1 million tons in 2023. The decline was primarily due to soaring production costs for fertilizers and energy in 2022, which squeezed supply, and a 6.3% drop in fresh fruit and vegetable consumption in 2023. Adverse weather events, including floods, also reduced yields. Despite the volume drop, market value continued climbing to $19 billion in 2023, driven by persistent price increases for fresh tomatoes at both wholesale and retail levels.

Structural shifts accompanied these trends: discount channels boosted their tomato sales by 24% after 2021, and mandatory origin labeling for processed tomato products took effect in 2022. Italy's tomato exports, particularly for processed items like paste and concentrates, surged by 21-37% in 2023, highlighting the strength of the downstream industry.

Production tomato in Italy

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Italy held the sixth position globally in tomato production.

Top producers of tomato, 2017-2020

World map of production of tomato, 2017-2020

Following a two-year decline, Italy's tomato production rebounded. In 2020, the country produced 6 248 K t of tomatoes, marking an 8.1% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 3.9%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 1.3%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 5 778 K t, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a drop of 3.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After a two-year decrease, tomato production in Italy saw an upturn. In 2020, the output was valued at 15 074 M US dollars, reflecting a significant rise of 21.5% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, production increased by 6.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.1%. The minimum value was observed in 2019 at 12 405 M US dollars, and the largest decline took place in 2018 with a 12.3% decrease.

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

Exports tomato from Italy

Exports in kind, K t

Italy's tomato exports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the export volume reached 63.1 K t, showing a gradual reduction of 4.8% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 5.5%, which corresponds to an annualized decline of 1.9%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2018 at 79.3 K t, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 16.3% drop. The most significant increase was in 2018, with an 18.7% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland were the primary destinations for Italy's tomato exports in kind. Germany accounted for 25.6% of exports, Austria for 16.2%, and Switzerland for 8.7%, collectively absorbing 50.5% of total exports.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, tomato shipments from Italy abroad amounted to 152.3 M US dollars, indicating a moderate gain of 6.9% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 3.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.1%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 142.4 M US dollars, and the maximum value in 2018 at 170.1 M US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 16.3% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018 with an 8.0% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland remained the main destinations for Italy's tomato exports in value terms. Germany represented 27.3% of exports, Austria 17.8%, and Switzerland 13.8%, together accounting for 58.9% of total exports.

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

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

Imports tomato to Italy

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Italy's tomato import volume was 130.8 K t, down by 7.4% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 129.5 K t, and the maximum value in 2019 at 141.4 K t. The largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 9.1% rise.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Spain, and France were the key sources for Italy's tomato imports in kind, collectively representing 81.5% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Italy imported a total of 151.2 M US dollars worth of tomatoes in 2020, equivalent to a gradual reduction of 9.0% from the previous year. Over the period 2017-2020, imports decreased by 3.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.1%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 146.0 M US dollars, and the maximum value in 2019 at 166.1 M US dollars. The largest increase was in 2019 with a 13.8% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Spain, and France continued to be the main suppliers of tomatoes to Italy in value terms. The Netherlands accounted for 36.3% of imports, Spain for 31.0%, and France for 11.9%, jointly forming 79.2% of total imports.

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

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