Tomato market in Mexico

Earlier Report Observations

The Mexican fresh tomato market reached a volume of 2.8 million metric tons in 2018, supported by a record harvest and sustained export flows under the long-standing Suspension Agreement. The market then contracted to 2.2 million metric tons by 2021. This decline coincided with the implementation of updated Good Agricultural and Management Practices (BPA-BPM) for exporters, which introduced additional compliance costs, and the modification of front-of-pack labeling rules in March 2020, likely dampening domestic consumer demand.

A recovery began in 2022, with volume rising to 2.4 million metric tons in 2023. This turnaround followed the Mexican government's update of minimum export reference prices, reinforcing the price discipline established by the 2019 Suspension Agreement renewal. Concurrently, decrees reforming health control and advertising regulations provided clearer operational guidelines aligned with the new labeling standards. Despite ongoing pressure from U.S. growers to terminate the 2019 agreement, creating regulatory uncertainty, production and market volume showed resilience.

The market's structure remains heavily export-oriented, with trade data indicating a total exchange value of US$3.2 billion for fresh and chilled tomatoes. The framework of minimum export prices, set to remain in force through 2025 pending any renewal of the Suspension Agreement, continues to shape producer strategies in the international arena.

Production tomato in Mexico

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Mexico ranked as the world's 9th largest producer of tomatoes.

Top producers of tomato, 2018-2021

World map of production of tomato, 2018-2021

After two consecutive years of decline, Mexico's tomato production volume increased in 2021, reaching 4 149 thousand tonnes. This figure showed no significant change compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production decreased by 9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2020 at 4 137 thousand tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 6.3% drop.

Annual dynamics of production in Mexico in kind, 2018-2021, K t

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In 2021, Mexico's tomato output was valued at 5 527 million US dollars, marking a substantial year-over-year reduction of 10.7%. Between 2018 and 2021, production value decreased by 5.3%, which translates to an annualized rate of 1.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2020 at 6 190 million US dollars, with the largest increase occurring that same year at 8.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Mexico in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports tomato from Mexico

Exports in kind, K t

Tomato exports from Mexico grew for the second consecutive year in 2021, reaching 1 904 thousand tonnes—a 9.4% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports rose by 9.5%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 3.1%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 618 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 6.9%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the United States was Mexico's primary export partner for tomatoes in volume terms, accounting for 99.7% of total exports.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2021, Mexico exported tomatoes worth 2 536 million US dollars, representing a slight decrease of 2.5% from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, export value increased by 13.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 2 163 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2020 at 2 602 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 2.9% drop, and the largest increase was in 2020 with a 20.3% rise.

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

Throughout 2018-2021, the United States remained the dominant and nearly exclusive destination for Mexico's tomato exports in value terms, holding a 99.7% share.

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

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

Imports tomato to Mexico

Imports in kind, K t

In 2019, Mexico imported 0.4 thousand tonnes of tomatoes, a 50.7% decrease compared to the previous year.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the United States was the almost exclusive supplier of tomatoes to Mexico, accounting for 100.0% of total imports in volume terms.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2019, Mexico imported tomatoes valued at 0.4 million US dollars, reflecting a 53.0% reduction from the previous year.

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

Throughout 2018-2021, the United States dominated Mexico's tomato import structure in value terms, with a 100.0% share of total flows.

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

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