Tomato market in Western Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh tomatoes in Western Asia expanded from 16.8 million tons in 2018 to 18.5 million tons in 2020, driven by rising demand across the Asia-Pacific region and government-led efforts to increase production. Growing consumer interest in organic products during 2020 further boosted the market's value, which surged by 21% to $20.4 billion that year.

Between 2021 and 2023, market volume stabilized between 18.0 and 18.6 million tons. Global supply chain challenges in 2021 tempered growth, although increased investment in cold-storage infrastructure helped preserve product quality. From 2022 onward, rising demand for processed tomato items such as sauces and ready meals shifted consumption patterns, leading to a modest contraction in fresh tomato volume, while market value continued to climb as suppliers diversified into higher-value segments.

Despite the plateau in physical volume, the market's value rose substantially from $16.2 billion in 2018 to $23.7 billion in 2023, reflecting a broader industry shift toward convenient, organic, and processed tomato offerings, supported by the development of more efficient direct and indirect distribution channels.

Production tomato in Western Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of tomato, 2017-2020

World map of production of tomato, 2017-2020

Tomato production in Western Asia has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 18 478 thousand tonnes of tomatoes, marking a modest 7.9% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 7.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.3%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 16 804 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 2.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of tomato production in Western Asia has risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, tomato output was valued at 20 584 million US dollars, representing a substantial 21.1% increase from the year before. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 24.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 16 395 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 0.7%.

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

Exports tomato from Western Asia

Exports in kind, K t

Tomato exports from Western Asia have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 621.9 thousand tonnes, down by 9.6% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 16.5%, equating to an average annual decline of 5.8%.

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

An analysis of exports in volume terms from 2017 to 2020 reveals a broad distribution across many markets. Russia accounted for 24.7% of exports, Ukraine for 5.5%, and Romania for 4.5%. Together, these three countries represented only 34.7% of total export flows, with the remaining 65.3% going to other partners.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of decrease, tomato exports from Western Asia in value terms have increased. In 2020, exports were recorded at 692.8 million US dollars, showing a small rise of 1.5% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 2.9%, with an average annual decline of 1.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 682.9 million US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 3.7%.

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

The structure of exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 can be described as diversified. Russia accounted for 35.8% of exports, Romania for 6.1%, and Ukraine for 3.9%. Together, these three countries represented just 45.8% of total export flows, with no single country holding a clearly dominant position.

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

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

Imports tomato to Western Asia

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year uptick, tomato imports into Western Asia have declined. In 2020, the region imported 710.5 thousand tonnes of tomatoes, constituting a 7.2% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 10.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.3%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 710.5 thousand tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 14.1%.

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

During the period from 2017 to 2020, tomato imports in volume terms to Western Asia were distributed across a large number of markets. Iran accounted for 41.0% of imports, Egypt for 4.5%, and India for 3.3%. Together, these three countries represented only 48.8% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of increase, the value of tomato imports into Western Asia has declined. In 2020, imports reached 500.4 million US dollars, down by 7.7% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 12%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 541.9 million US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 14.6%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Iran, Egypt, and the Netherlands were the largest suppliers of tomatoes to Western Asia in value terms, but none held a dominant position. Iran accounted for 29.8% of imports, Egypt for 7.0%, and the Netherlands for 4.0%. Together, these three countries represented 40.9% of total import value, against a broad background of smaller partners.

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

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