Tomato market Ukraine

Earlier Report Observations

The Ukrainian fresh tomato market experienced fluctuating production volumes between 2018 and 2021, peaking at 2.4 million tonnes in 2021. This growth was supported by the expansion of greenhouse vegetable farming, which enabled year‑round supply. During this period, military operations in Kherson and Mykolaiv regions already posed challenges for local growers, while imports of fresh tomatoes steadily increased to compensate for domestic shortfalls. The COVID‑19 pandemic in 2020 altered consumer preferences but did not prevent overall market expansion. Legislative changes, such as food‑labeling requirements in the state language, began implementation from 2018 onward.

A sharp downturn occurred in 2022 with the full‑scale war, which led to the loss of substantial production capacity in key tomato‑growing regions. Domestic output fell by over 1 million tonnes, pulling the total market volume down to 1.4 million tonnes. Imports, particularly from Turkey, remained a critical supply source, though they could not fully offset the deficit. In response, authorities temporarily simplified labeling rules for imported food and introduced ceiling trade mark‑ups on some food products to curb price growth. By 2023, partial recovery emerged: production rebounded to 1.7 million tonnes, aided by state grants for greenhouse development and the resilience of companies like Agrofusion, which entered the global top‑20 tomato processors despite wartime losses. Legislative initiatives harmonizing seed‑breeding rules with the EU aimed to accelerate access to new stress‑adapted tomato varieties.

Production tomato Ukraine

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, Ukraine ranked as the 13th largest producer of tomatoes between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of tomato, 2017-2020

World map of production of tomato, 2017-2020

In 2020, Ukraine produced 2 250 thousand tonnes of tomatoes, marking a 1.2% increase from the previous year. The lowest production was recorded in 2019 at 2 224 thousand tonnes, while the highest was in 2018 at 2 324 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 4.3%, and the largest increase was in 2018, at 2.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Ukraine's tomato production value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 1 056 million US dollars, representing a 22.9% decrease compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value fell by 28.8%, which translates to an annualized decline of 10.7%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 1 583 million US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 6.8%.

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

Exports tomato to Ukraine

Exports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, Ukraine's tomato export volume increased in 2020, reaching 10 383 tonnes, a substantial 20.4% rise from the previous year. However, over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 50.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -20.9%. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 8 621 tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 43.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports to Ukraine in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Belarus and Moldova were the primary buyers of Ukrainian tomatoes, together accounting for 83.1% of total exports in volume, while other countries made up the remainder.

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

World map of product's exports to Ukraine in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of tomato exports from Ukraine declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 4 873 thousand US dollars, reflecting a measured 8.2% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value fell by 64.5%, equating to an annualized decline of 29.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports to Ukraine in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Belarus and Poland were the main destinations for Ukrainian tomato exports in value terms, jointly representing 83.2% of total flows, with the remaining share distributed among other markets.

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

World map of product's exports to Ukraine in value, 2017-2020

Imports tomato in Ukraine

Imports in kind, t

Tomato imports into Ukraine increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 86 729 tonnes, up by 20.9% from the prior year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 149.4%, with an annualized growth rate of 35.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports in Ukraine in kind, 2017-2020, t

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Turkey was the dominant source for tomato imports into Ukraine in volume terms, accounting for 88.8% of total flows, while the remaining share was distributed among several smaller markets.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Foreign tomato supplies to Ukraine increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 77 597 thousand US dollars, which is 55.8% higher than the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, import value rose by 235.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 49.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports in Ukraine in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the partner structure for tomato imports in value terms was centered on Turkey, which held an 83.6% share of total flows, while other markets formed a less significant portion.

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

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