Tomato market in the United States

Earlier Report Observations

The U.S. fresh tomato market volume declined from 14 253 тыс. т in 2018 to 12 187 тыс. т in 2021, pressured by competition from Mexican imports and rising production costs linked to food safety and environmental regulations. This downward trend was interrupted in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic increased consumer demand for fresh produce and processed tomato products, leading to a slight volume recovery and a significant rise in market value to $21.3 billion.

Severe drought conditions in California from 2021 onward reduced yields, contributing to a further contraction in market volume to 12 025 тыс. т in 2022 and shifting production leadership to Florida. A strong rebound occurred in 2023, with volume surging to 14 181 тыс. т and value reaching $23.3 billion, driven by expanded greenhouse and hydroponic farming investments that improved water efficiency and year-round supply, alongside the successful launch of premium products like the Rubī Tomato.

Throughout the period, the market structure evolved with growing consumer preference for fresh, organic, and value-added varieties such as grape and cherry tomatoes. Continuous adoption of controlled environment agriculture technologies and state-funded climate investments in processing facilities aimed to address production challenges and align with stringent food safety and sustainability regulations.

Production tomato in the United States

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the United States ranked fourth globally in tomato production.

Top producers of tomato, 2017-2020

World map of production of tomato, 2017-2020

In 2020, the United States produced 10,939 thousand tons of tomatoes, marking a slight year-over-year increase of 0.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 10,859 thousand tons, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 12,613 thousand tons. The most significant decline was observed in 2019, dropping by 13.9%, whereas the largest increase happened in 2018, rising by 13.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, tomato production in the United States was valued at 18,722 million US dollars, reflecting a substantial 16.5% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 2.5%, translating to an annualized rate of 0.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 16,072 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 18,956 million US dollars. The most notable decline occurred in 2019, falling by 15.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports tomato from the United States

Exports in kind, K t

Tomato exports from the United States declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 183 thousand tons, representing a modest 7.2% decrease compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 10.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.5%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 216 thousand tons. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 8.9%, while the most significant increase was in 2018, rising by 6.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Canada was the overwhelmingly dominant buyer of tomatoes from the United States, accounting for 96.3% of total exports in volume.

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

World map of product's exports from the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, the value of tomato exports from the United States increased. In 2020, exports were valued at 313 million US dollars, reflecting a controlled gain of 7.3% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 6.2%, with an annualized rate of 2.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 292 million US dollars, and the largest decline occurred that same year, falling by 10.3%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Canada remained the almost exclusive buyer of tomatoes from the United States, holding a 96.6% share of total exports in value terms.

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

World map of product's exports from the United States in value, 2017-2020

Imports tomato to the United States

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, tomato imports into the United States declined. In 2020, imports totaled 1,838 thousand tons, constituting a slight reduction of 1.2% from the year before. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 2.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.9%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 1,861 thousand tons, and the largest increase occurred in 2018, rising by 3.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Mexico remained the overwhelmingly dominant supplier of tomatoes to the United States, accounting for 90.8% of total imports in volume.

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

World map of product's imports to the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the United States imported tomatoes valued at 2,918 million US dollars, representing a robust 20.6% increase year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 28.4%, with a CAGR of 8.7%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, falling by 2.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Mexico was the main source of tomato imports to the United States, taking 85.6% of total imports in value, while the remaining volume was distributed among other countries.

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

World map of product's imports to the United States in value, 2017-2020