Tomato market in the United Kingdom

Earlier Report Observations

The UK market for fresh tomatoes saw a decline in both volume and value from 2018 to 2021, with market size falling from 473.5 thousand tonnes to 401.0 thousand tonnes in volume and from $847.4 million to $776.6 million in value. This downward trend reversed in 2022, when the market expanded to 455.7 thousand tonnes and $891.9 million, followed by further value growth to $928.6 million in 2023 despite a slight volume contraction to 430.8 thousand tonnes.

Price increases became a primary driver of market growth in monetary terms from 2022 onward. Rising energy costs following the war in Ukraine reduced energy-intensive winter tomato production across Europe, including in the UK, increasing reliance on imports during off-season months. Concurrently, consumer preferences shifted toward fresh tomatoes with specific sensory attributes like medium sweetness and uniform appearance, supporting steady demand.

The market remained influenced by European marketing and food safety standards, and the UK continued to be a major importer within a moderately concentrated European market. Leading suppliers included the Netherlands, Morocco, and Spain, sustaining the import-dependent structure as domestic production stabilized around 70 thousand tonnes annually.

Production tomato in the United Kingdom

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of tomato, 2018-2021

World map of production of tomato, 2018-2021

Tomato production in the United Kingdom has increased for the second year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 68 319 tonnes of tomatoes, marking a modest 4.7% rise from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production grew by 2.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 60 861 tonnes, which represented the largest decline of 9.0% during this timeframe. In contrast, the most significant increase occurred in 2020, with a 7.2% jump in output.

Annual dynamics of production in the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021, t

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

The value of tomato production in the United Kingdom has risen for the second consecutive year. In 2021, tomato output was valued at 158.9 million US dollars, showing a moderate 3.2% increase compared to 2020. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 140.0 million US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 11.7%. The most substantial increase happened in 2020, with a 10.0% growth in value.

Annual dynamics of production in the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports tomato from the United Kingdom

Exports in kind, K t

Tomato exports from the United Kingdom have declined for the third year running. In 2021, the UK exported 2.1 thousand tonnes of tomatoes, representing a sharp 43.2% decrease from 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, exports fell by 57.3%, with an average annual decline of 24.7%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Ireland, the United Arab Emirates, and the Netherlands were the primary destinations for UK tomato exports by volume. Ireland accounted for 59.5% of exports, the UAE for 19.0%, and the Netherlands for 6.2%. Together, these three markets represented 84.6% of total tomato exports from the United Kingdom.

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

World map of product's exports from the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of tomato exports from the United Kingdom has decreased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports totaled 4.8 million US dollars, equivalent to a sharp 44.1% drop compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, export value declined by 58.1%, with an average annual decrease of 25.2%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the export market for UK tomatoes in value terms was highly concentrated, with Ireland and the United Arab Emirates together accounting for 83.5% of total export value. Other trading partners made up the remaining share.

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

World map of product's exports from the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2021

Imports tomato to the United Kingdom

Imports in kind, K t

Tomato imports into the United Kingdom have fallen for the third year in a row. In 2021, imports amounted to 334.8 thousand tonnes, representing a substantial 12.5% decrease from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, import volume declined by 18.6%, with an average annual reduction of 6.6%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the Netherlands, Spain, and Morocco were the main sources of tomato imports into the United Kingdom by volume. The Netherlands supplied 41.0% of imports, Spain 25.1%, and Morocco 20.7%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 86.8% of total tomato imports into the UK.

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

World map of product's imports to the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

The value of tomato imports into the United Kingdom has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports reached 622.4 million US dollars, which is 2.2% lower than the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, import value decreased by 11.1%, with an average annual decline of 3.8%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the Netherlands, Spain, and Morocco were the principal sources of tomato imports into the United Kingdom by value. The Netherlands accounted for 42.9% of import value, Spain for 22.5%, and Morocco for 18.1%. Together, these three countries represented 83.5% of total tomato import value into the UK.

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

World map of product's imports to the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2021