Tomato market in Maldives

Earlier Report Observations

The tomato market in the Maldives reached 3 115 t in 2018, characterized by high import dependence due to limited local agricultural capacity, where subsistence farming faces constraints from scarce land and freshwater. This reliance on foreign supply was underscored by the launch of the Island Resilient Maldives Matter project, a Dutch-backed initiative aiming to boost local greenhouse production of tomatoes and lettuce to eventually improve quality and reduce import needs. Market volume grew to 3 392 t in 2019 before contracting sharply to 2 789 t in 2020.

A recovery began in 2021, lifting the market to 3 282 t, and growth accelerated to 3 818 t in 2022. The expansion was primarily driven by the strengthening cold chain segment, where rising demand for fresh produce from the tourism sector and urban households improved inter-island logistics and distribution efficiency for perishables like tomatoes. By 2023, the market volume rose to 4 170 t, supported by India maintaining its role as the leading supplier, accounting for over 43% of imports.

In 2024, tomato imports jumped to 5 184 t, reflecting continued market expansion. This surge was fueled by an estimated 5.1% economic growth linked to tourism, which bolstered demand for fresh food imports. Concurrently, the implementation of the Food Safety Bill established comprehensive standards for food imports, while average food inflation of 6.6% and increased airport fees affected supply costs and consumer prices.

Production tomato in Maldives

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of tomato, 2017-2020

World map of production of tomato, 2017-2020

In 2019, tomato production in the Maldives reached its lowest point at 225.1 tons, before rebounding to 235.9 tons in 2020, marking a 4.8% increase from the previous year. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 239.3 tons. Over the four-year period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 4.3%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.4%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 5.9%, while the largest increase was observed in 2018 with a 5.8% rise.

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

Exports tomato from Maldives

Market analysis indicates that the Maldives did not export any tomatoes between 2017 and 2020.

Imports tomato to Maldives

Imports in kind, t

Tomato imports to the Maldives peaked in 2019 at 3 167 tons, but then dropped to 2 553 tons in 2020, representing a substantial 19.4% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports declined by 13.3%, with an average annual decrease of 4.7%. The largest increase in imports was recorded in 2019, when they rose by 10.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India was the dominant source for tomato imports to the Maldives, supplying 70.2% of the total volume. Other countries contributed smaller shares, forming a less significant portion of the import market.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2019, the value of tomato imports to the Maldives reached its highest point at 5 978 thousand US dollars. However, by 2020, this figure had fallen to 3 605 thousand US dollars, a sharp decline of 39.7% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 timeframe, import values decreased by 29.8%, with an average annual reduction of 11.1%. The most notable increase occurred in 2019, when import values rose by 16.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, India, Sri Lanka, and the United Arab Emirates were the primary suppliers of tomatoes to the Maldives in value terms. India accounted for 41.3% of total import value, Sri Lanka for 25.2%, and the United Arab Emirates for 16.4%. Together, these three countries made up 83.0% of the Maldives' tomato import market by value during this period.

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

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