Tomato exports to beyond EU plummet

EU exports of tomatoes dropped substantially between 2015 and 2017. According to Eurostat data, the largest non-EU importer, Belarus, saw its receipts of EU tomatoes plummet from 105,000 tons in 2015 to 51,000 tons in 2017. Exports from the EU to Switzerland also fell slightly, from 29,000 tons to 26,500 tons. The next largest markets for EU markets, Norway and Russia also saw similar drops in volumes received. The UAE bucked this trend by increasing its receipts from 4,000 tons in 2015 to 6,000 tons in 2017.

Morocco continues to establish itself as the number-one supplier of third-party tomatoes to the EU. Exports to the EU increased from 380,000 tons in 2015 to over 400,000 tons in 2017. Turkey, Morocco’s nearest rival, also saw growth in shipments to the EU over this period (from 35,000 tons to 100,000 tons). However, this growth may be in some part attributable to the Russian temporary ban on Turkish produce (now lifted). The next largest tomato suppliers to the EU are Albania, Tunisia and Senegal.