Tomato market in Northern America

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh or chilled tomatoes in Northern America experienced a multi-year contraction from 2018 to 2022, with physical volume declining from 12.9 million tonnes to 10.6 million tonnes. This trend was driven by long-term challenges within the domestic U.S. industry, including a steady reduction in harvested areas due to intense import competition from Mexico, adverse weather conditions in key producing states like California and Florida, and persistent labor shortages. The situation was further compounded in 2022 by acute refrigerated truck shortages in Florida that disrupted distribution, while the sale of part of Olam International's tomato processing facility indicated ongoing restructuring of production assets. Energy price rises in Europe also indirectly affected market dynamics by reducing energy-intensive winter production there, influencing import flows.

Market volume rebounded to 12.8 million tonnes in 2023, with the market value rising sharply to 21.1 billion US dollars, reflecting both higher volumes and increased prices. This recovery occurred amidst a broader industry context where factors like climate change continued to affect yields, and consumer preferences had been shifting towards fresh tomatoes with clean-label attributes, supporting demand in higher-value segments.

Production tomato in Northern America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of tomato, 2017-2020

World map of production of tomato, 2017-2020

In 2019, Northern America's tomato production reached its lowest point at 11,349 thousand tons, followed by a slight increase of 0.7% to 11,431 thousand tons in 2020. The peak production occurred in 2018 at 13,111 thousand tons. The most significant year-on-year decline was 13.4% in 2019, while the largest increase was 12.7% in 2018.

Annual dynamics of production in Northern America in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Northern America's tomato production value continued to decline for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 14,237 million US dollars, showing little change from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 16,547 million US dollars. The most substantial decrease occurred in 2019 at 13.7%, while the largest increase was 18.1% in 2018.

Annual dynamics of production in Northern America in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports tomato from Northern America

Exports in kind, K t

Following a two-year decline, Northern America's tomato exports rebounded in 2020, reaching 367.6 thousand tons, which represents a significant 22.0% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 6.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.3%. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 301.3 thousand tons, marking an 8.0% decrease that year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Northern America in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Japan was the primary export market for Northern America's tomatoes, accounting for 0.8% of total exports by volume.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of reduction, Northern America's tomato export value increased in 2020, totaling 457.8 million US dollars, a 20.7% rise from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value grew by 10.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 379.3 million US dollars, reflecting an 8.2% decline that year.

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

During 2017-2020, Japan was the leading destination for Northern America's tomato exports in value terms, representing 0.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports tomato to Northern America

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Northern America imported approximately 206.3 thousand tons of tomatoes, a gradual decrease of 5.0% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 30.7%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 11.5%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 156.7 thousand tons, with the largest drop of 47.3% occurring that year. In contrast, imports saw their biggest increase of 38.6% in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Northern America in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Mexico remained the key supplier of tomatoes to Northern America, making up 73.8% of total imports by volume.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, Northern America's tomato import value rose in 2020 to 320.4 million US dollars, a moderate increase of 4.3% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 4.1%, with an average annual decline of 1.4%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 307.2 million US dollars, when imports fell by 4.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Mexico was the main source for Northern America's tomato imports in value terms, accounting for 70.6% of total import flows.

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

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