Tomatoes: the trend reversed

In the region of Murcia, the downward trend for tomato crops seem to halt.

Data from the Ministry of Agriculture show a production of 298,939 tons of tomatoes for the region of Murcia in 2013. This represents an increase of +3.3% compared to the previous season and especially a radical change in the downward trend observed since 2009.

In value, the 2013 production totaled 178,38 million EUR. Average yields have increased in recent years to 21 tons per hectare and areas (2,692 hectares) increased by +6% compared to the previous year. Farm restructuring and increase in their modernization seem to explain these gains of productivity and an overall increase in prices.

The region of Murcia exported 123,449 tons of tomatoes in 2013, mainly to the EU (98%). Its biggest customers are the United Kingdom (29%), Germany (23%), France (16%) and the Netherlands (8%).

source : abc es local murcia