Tomato market in Mauritius

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh tomatoes in Mauritius contracted between 2018 and 2020, with volume falling from 9,198 t to 8,376 t. This decline coincided with challenges noted in the sector, including price volatility due to climatic conditions and a lack of crop planning, as well as the impact of the Mauritian rupee depreciation in 2020, which raised the cost of imported agricultural inputs and production expenses.

A decisive turnaround began in 2021, with market volume surging to 13,831 t and reaching 20,390 t by 2023. This growth was propelled by specific government initiatives launched to promote local agro-processing, including a drive to produce tomato paste domestically and reduce annual imports. Simultaneously, local producers, such as Alteo Agri Ltd, expanded greenhouse cultivation of tomatoes to meet rising demand for fresh, local produce, while partnerships aimed at developing agro-ecological supply chains further strengthened the sector's capacity.

Production tomato in Mauritius

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of tomato, 2017-2020

World map of production of tomato, 2017-2020

Tomato production in Mauritius has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 8 352 tonnes of tomatoes, which represents a 3.8% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 21.6%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 7.8%.

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

Exports tomato from Mauritius

Exports in kind, kg

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Mauritius in kind, 2017-2020, kg

Between 2017 and 2020, the country structure of exports in kind was highly concentrated, with France accounting for 100.0% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, $ US

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

From 2017 to 2020, the market structure was highly concentrated, with France responsible for 100.0% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports tomato to Mauritius

Imports in kind, kg

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 7 743 kg, then peaked in 2020 at 24 040 kg, representing a 3.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, tomato import volumes in Mauritius increased by 116.9% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 63.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, two markets—Egypt and South Africa—played the leading roles in imports in kind, together accounting for 99.4% of total flows, while the rest was distributed among other destinations.

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

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

Imports in value, $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 10 475 US dollars, while the highest occurred in 2020 at 29 993 US dollars, representing a peak-to-trough ratio of 7.3 times. In 2020, tomato import volumes in Mauritius showed a steep rise of 134.0% year-over-year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 86.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, two markets—South Africa and Egypt—played the leading roles in imports in value terms, together accounting for 99.4% of total flows, while the rest was distributed among other destinations.

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

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