Tomato market in Russia

Earlier Report Observations

The Russian fresh tomato market expanded in the late 2010s, with volume growing from 3.5 million tonnes in 2018 to 3.6 million tonnes in 2019. This growth was propelled by state support for vegetable farming as a priority sector, which stimulated investment in commercial greenhouse facilities and increased domestic production. Concurrently, geopolitical sanctions and restrictions reduced import flows, furthering import substitution. The period also saw new players entering the market and an expansion of the product assortment, including novel tomato varieties, which bolstered overall market activity.

Market volume then contracted to 3.4 million tonnes in 2020, influenced by a pause in state investment support amid perceived market saturation and significant supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. A slight recovery to 3.5 million tonnes followed in 2021, aided by renewed government backing for greenhouse vegetable growing and the emergence of popular new segments such as plum and cherry tomatoes. Subsequently, the market faced a sharp decline to 3.0 million tonnes in 2022 due to escalating sanctions and associated logistical complexities. By 2023, the market rebounded to 3.1 million tonnes, driven by the continued expansion of greenhouse tomato production and supportive state policies for agro-industrial parks.

Production tomato in Russia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Russia was one of the world's leading tomato producers, ranking 12th globally by production volume.

Top producers of tomato, 2017-2020

World map of production of tomato, 2017-2020

Russia's tomato production volume declined after two years of growth. In 2020, the country produced 2 976 K t of tomatoes, a slight decrease of 1.3% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 11.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.7%. The highest production was recorded in 2019 at 3 015 K t, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 at 8.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Russia's tomato production value increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 1 032 M $ US, up 6.8% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 11.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 924 M $ US, which saw a minor decline of 0.1%.

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

Exports tomato from Russia

Exports in kind, K t

Tomato exports from Russia increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 19.6 K t, an 11.5% rise compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 54.9%, translating to an annualized rate of 15.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export structure in volume terms showed a strong reliance on Ukraine, which accounted for 92.5% of total exports.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Tomato exports from Russia increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export value amounted to 6.8 M $ US, a 20.6% increase over the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 55%, with a compound annual growth rate of 15.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the export structure in value terms was dominated by Ukraine, which absorbed 79.2% of total flows, alongside numerous smaller trading partners.

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

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

Imports tomato to Russia

Imports in kind, K t

Tomato imports into Russia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 467.1 K t, down 16.3% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 9.9%, with an average annual decline of 3.4%. The peak import volume was recorded in 2018 at 577.7 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 11.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the import structure in volume terms was led by Azerbaijan (32.0% of imports), China (14.6%), and Morocco (13.1%), together representing 59.7% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, tomato imports into Russia declined. In 2020, imports were valued at 525.1 M $ US, a 17.8% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 6.3%, equating to an annualized decline of 2.2%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 639.0 M $ US, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 12.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the main sources for tomato imports in value terms were Azerbaijan (30.6% of imports), Morocco (16.4%), and China (16.1%), forming a cluster that accounted for 63.2% of total flows.

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

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