Tomato market in Liberia

Earlier Report Observations

The tomato market in Liberia displayed initial growth, reaching 3,679 tons in 2019, bolstered by the agricultural sector's central role in the economy, which involves over 75% of the population and contributes substantially to GDP. This expansion was interrupted in 2020 when the market volume contracted to 3,526 tons, a period marked by a balance of trade deficit and reliance on imports that constrained the supply of fresh tomatoes.

Market volume recovered to 3,625 tons in 2021 and saw a minor adjustment to 3,590 tons in 2022. During 2022, foundational measures were introduced, including the digital Liberia Agriculture Census and the Liberia Agriculture Commercialization Fund, which aimed to enhance data-driven planning and support smallholder commercialization. A pronounced surge followed in 2023, with the market expanding by over 12% to 4,042 tons. This growth was primarily driven by the launch of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone Project, a US$16 million initiative to develop inclusive agro-industry and reduce food imports, coupled with promotional efforts by the Liberia Special Economic Zone Authority to attract investment into local processing sectors.

Moving into 2024, key programs continued to shape the market environment. The ongoing agriculture census released provisional data to inform policy, while active price regulation by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry and the sustained implementation of the commercialization fund and SAPZ Project fostered further agro-industrial development and market access for tomato producers.

Production tomato in Liberia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of tomato, 2017-2020

World map of production of tomato, 2017-2020

Liberia's tomato production volume declined after two years of growth. In 2019, production reached its peak at 3 662 tonnes, but then fell to 3 520 tonnes in 2020, marking a 3.9% year-over-year decrease. Over the entire period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 4.3%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.4%. The most significant annual increase occurred in 2018, when production rose by 4.5%.

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

Exports tomato from Liberia

As the market overview indicates, Liberia did not export any tomatoes from 2017 to 2020.

Imports tomato to Liberia

Imports in kind, kg

Liberia's tomato import volume declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 6 294 kilograms, down 64.2% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 88%, with a compound annual growth rate of -50.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Liberia in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—Morocco, the Netherlands, and Spain—accounted for 87.1% of Liberia's total tomato imports by volume.

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

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

Imports in value, $ US

Tomato deliveries to Liberia declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 4 855 US dollars, reflecting a 33.2% year-over-year reduction. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 83.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -45.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Morocco was the leading market for Liberia's tomato imports in value terms, capturing 86.4% of the total, while other countries made up the remaining share.

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

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