Tomato market in Lithuania

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh tomatoes in Lithuania opened the period at 33 050 t in 2018, characterized by high import volumes due to domestic producers' limited ability to meet diverse consumer needs. After a slight dip and stabilization around 31 600-31 800 t in 2019-2020, market volume grew to 35 417 t in 2021 and further to 39 832 t in 2022. This expansion was supported by the rapid growth in greenhouse numbers, which increased local production capacity, and was driven by major greenhouse complexes expanding their tomato assortments to nearly twenty different varieties. The introduction of modern lighting technologies enabled year-round cultivation, and a spring surge in demand for healthy products boosted consumption.

The greenhouse sector's development was central, with the number of greenhouses rising from about 12 000 in 2019 to over 31 000 by 2025, significantly enhancing local production potential. This allowed Lithuanian tomatoes to appear on store shelves from early April and offered greater variety. However, market volume fell to 29 956 t in 2023. Concurrently, farmers and consumers showed growing interest in specialized and heirloom tomato varieties adapted to the local climate, as well as in natural open-field cultivation. Winter production faced challenges from significantly higher electricity and heating prices, limiting the availability of locally grown tomatoes during colder months.

Production tomato in Lithuania

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of tomato, 2018-2021

World map of production of tomato, 2018-2021

Following a two-year decline, tomato production in Lithuania rebounded in 2021. The country produced 13 950 tonnes of tomatoes, marking a significant year-over-year increase of 19.9%. Over the 2018-2021 period, production grew by 14.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.6%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2020 at 11 630 tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 3.9% decrease.

Annual dynamics of production in Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports tomato from Lithuania

Exports in kind, t

In 2021, Lithuania exported 6 185 tonnes of tomatoes, representing a 40.7% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports declined by 58.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -25.5%. The largest increase was recorded in 2020 at 3.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Belarus remained the dominant export partner for Lithuanian tomatoes in volume terms, accounting for 73.1% of total flows, while other markets formed a long tail of smaller partners.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

After two consecutive years of growth, Lithuania's tomato exports in value terms declined in 2021. Exports reached 8 799 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 31.6% drop compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports decreased by 25.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -9.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2020 at 12 856 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 5.8% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Lithuania in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, Belarus and Latvia together accounted for 83.6% of Lithuania's tomato exports in value terms, with other countries forming a diversified but less significant group of partners.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Lithuania in value, 2018-2021

Imports tomato to Lithuania

Imports in kind, t

In 2021, Lithuania imported 27 652 tonnes of tomatoes, representing a 9.6% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports declined by 22.8%, equating to an annualized rate of -8.2%. The largest decrease was recorded in 2019 at 16.3%, while the largest increase occurred in 2020 with a 2.1% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, the Netherlands (42.9% of import volume), Spain (26.5% of import volume), and Poland (11.4% of import volume) formed the main group of sources for tomato imports to Lithuania, collectively representing 80.8% of total volume flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Lithuania's tomato imports in value terms increased for the third consecutive year in 2021. Imports stood at 43 602 thousand US dollars, marking a 6.3% rise compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports grew by 9.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Lithuania in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Throughout 2018-2021, the Netherlands (40.6% of import value), Spain (25.6% of import value), and Germany (9.8% of import value) formed the key group of partners for Lithuania's tomato imports in value terms, jointly representing 76.1% of total value flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Lithuania in value, 2018-2021