Fall in output but rise in exports of processed Italian tomatoes

Italy’s total processed tomato production dropped 11.5% in 2018, to 4.6 million tons, according to data published by the National Association of the Canned Vegetables Industry (Anicav). The main factors were the reduced production area planted area, the spring rains and the temperature fluctuations in summer. Italy’s processed tomato exports rose 10% in the first six months of 2018, to 1.2 million tons, with a value of US$1 billion. There were large increases in shipments to Italy’s major exports markets: Germany (+29%), the UK (+10%), and France (+28%). Meanwhile, in the same period, Italy’s imports of processed tomatoes were also up (+5%) to 111,580 tons, worth US$80 million. The main foreign supplier of processed tomatoes to the Italian market is Spain, which accounts for 37% of the total. Shipments of processed tomatoes from Spain to Italy climbed 24% for the period January-July 2018 compared with the same period in 2017.

Italy produces 13.6 percent of the world’s tomatoes and 49% of Europe’s total (worth over €3.1 billion.