Tomato market in Peru

Earlier Report Observations

The Peruvian fresh tomato market experienced fluctuations between 2018 and 2023, with production peaking at 243.8 thousand tonnes in 2021. This growth was driven by the expansion of protected cultivation, which by 2019 covered over 60% of production, allowing better control over climatic and phytosanitary conditions. Additionally, the diversification of tomato species grown, including 14 of the world's 17 species, created new market niches for fresh consumption and processing.

Market volume declined in 2019 and again in 2022. The 2022 drop coincided with high food price inflation, which reached 8.46% in Lima and pushed tomato prices in the basic basket up by 30% by 2023, restraining household demand. However, per capita tomato consumption rose to 6.7 kg per year, supported by shifts toward healthier eating habits, which provided a base level of demand.

Tomato exports remained limited by phytosanitary requirements and water resource constraints but gradually increased from 2.0 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 3.2 thousand tonnes in 2023. Ongoing efforts to improve quality, such as the new Peruvian Technical Standard for tomato safety and the expansion of anti‑aphid netting, aimed to strengthen the sector's competitiveness.

Production tomato in Peru

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of tomato, 2017-2020

World map of production of tomato, 2017-2020

Peru produced 204.1 thousand tons of tomatoes in 2020, marking a 1.1% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production declined by 7.5%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 2.6%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 201.8 thousand tons, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 252.8 thousand tons. The most significant drop in production happened in 2019, falling by 20.2%, whereas the largest rise was observed in 2018, increasing by 14.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of tomato output in Peru reached 74.4 million US dollars, showing a substantial year-over-year gain of 22.0%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 61.0 million US dollars, and the maximum was in 2018 at 108.5 million US dollars. The most pronounced decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 43.8%, while the sharpest increase took place in 2018, rising by 46.8%.

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

Exports tomato from Peru

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility throughout the observed period. Peru's tomato export volume hit its lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 2.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exports totaled 3 347 tons, reflecting a steep 72.0% increase compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, falling by 3.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Peru in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Peru's tomato exports in kind were almost entirely directed to Chile, which accounted for 99.4% of the total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. The lowest export value was in 2017, while the highest was in 2020, representing a 2.8-fold gap. In 2020, tomato deliveries from Peru amounted to 1 220 thousand US dollars, surging by 107.5% year-over-year. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 31.9%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Chile remained the dominant and nearly exclusive destination for Peru's tomato exports in value terms, holding a 99.5% share.

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

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

Imports tomato to Peru

Sector analysis indicates that Peru did not import any tomatoes from 2017 to 2020.