Tomato market in Poland

Earlier Report Observations

The fresh tomato market in Poland showed initial stability, with volume edging up to over 1 million tonnes in 2019. That year saw a broader increase in EU tomato production and a continued shift within Poland towards protected cultivation, which accounted for nearly 70% of output. However, this structural change coincided with a slight dip in domestic production. The market then contracted sharply in 2020, with volume falling below 870 thousand tonnes.

After a partial recovery in 2021, market volume dipped again in 2022 before surging to approximately 1.03 million tonnes in 2023. This significant growth was primarily driven by the introduction of tomato varieties resistant to the ToBRFV virus, which allowed Polish growers to increase production despite facing higher energy costs and strong import competition from suppliers like Spain and Morocco.

In 2024, Polish growers achieved a record expansion of open-field tomato cultivation, with planted area rising by 37% and production increasing by nearly 20%. Concurrently, import growth from outside the EU slowed, contributing to price pressures on the domestic market. Consumer preferences continued to evolve, with 75% of tomato purchases occurring in discount and grocery store chains, led by retailer Biedronka.

Production tomato in Poland

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Poland ranked 25th globally in tomato production.

Top producers of tomato, 2017-2020

World map of production of tomato, 2017-2020

Poland's tomato production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 766.6 thousand tonnes of tomatoes, down 16.5% year-on-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 14.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.1%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 928.8 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 3.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of growth, Poland's tomato production value declined. In 2020, tomato output was valued at 725.3 million US dollars, representing a significant decrease of 19.4% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production value dropped by 3.5%, equating to an annualized rate of -1.2%. The peak value occurred in 2019 at 899.4 million US dollars, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 10.6%.

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

Exports tomato from Poland

Exports in kind, K t

Tomato export volumes from Poland fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 72.0 thousand tonnes, which was 0.8% lower than in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 8.2%, with an annualized rate of -2.8%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 88.3 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 12.6%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 17.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Belarus, Germany, and the United Kingdom were notable but not dominant buyers of Polish tomatoes in volume terms. Belarus accounted for 15.3% of exports, Germany for 15.2%, and the United Kingdom for 12.4%. Together, these three countries represented 43.0% of total tomato exports from Poland.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Poland's tomato export value declined for the second year running. In 2020, exports stood at 68.1 million US dollars, marking a moderate decrease of 4.2% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, export value increased by 3.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.2%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 79.0 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 20.4%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, falling by 10.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland's tomato export portfolio in value terms was quite diverse. The United Kingdom accounted for 17.5% of exports, Germany for 16.3%, and Belarus for 12.9%. Combined, these three partners represented 46.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports tomato to Poland

Imports in kind, K t

Poland's tomato import volume increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported 173.1 thousand tonnes of tomatoes, up 8.9% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 27.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Spain, the Netherlands, and Morocco were the main sources of tomato imports to Poland in volume terms. Spain accounted for 33.5% of imports, the Netherlands for 27.5%, and Morocco for 11.9%. Together, these three countries represented 72.9% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Tomato import value to Poland rose for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 268.6 million US dollars, showing a modest increase of 9.8% versus the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value increased by 33.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 10.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain, the Netherlands, and Germany were the principal sources of tomato imports to Poland in value terms. Spain accounted for 36.1% of imports, the Netherlands for 24.3%, and Germany for 15.1%. Collectively, these three countries represented 75.5% of total import flows.

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

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