IN-DEPTH analysis of the global market of fresh tomato, worth $11 billion imports

Morocco

Tuesday 11 June 2024

Europe, with 27 countries plus the United Kingdom (EU27 + UK), is by far the largest market, with imports worth almost $6.5 billion.

Europe accounts for more than 50% of world imports of fresh tomatoes, worth €6.5 billion, according to Mr Rougui Ali, head of market intelligence at the national foreign trade agency Morocco Foodex. He presented the latest analyses of the world and European markets at the first Morocco Tomato Conference in Agadir on May 30^th, organized by Greensmile. According to Morocco Foodex, World imports of fresh tomatoes reached almost 6.1 million tonnes, worth $11 billion by 2023. Europe, with 27 countries plus the United Kingdom (EU27 + UK), is by far the largest market, with imports worth almost $6.5 billion. North America is the second largest market, with 2.2 million tonnes imported, representing $3.6 billion in value. Other import markets such as West Africa (500 tonnes), Eastern Africa (300 tonnes) and the United Arab Emirates (20,000 tonnes) remain very small.

Morocco is Europe's second-largest supplier

Morocco currently ranks second ahead of Spain and behind Holland as a supplier to the European market. The country also became 4^th

exporting country in the world. Its market share stands at 22%, or $1.4 billion exported to the Community market (EU-27). Holland remains Europe's leading supplier, with a 27% market share and an export value of $1.8 billion, while Spain comes third with $1.3 billion.

Down 8% this season

In the 2023/2024 season, which has just ended, Morocco exported 572,000 tonnes of tomatoes, compared with 609,000 tonnes in 2022/2023, a fall of 8%. There has been a good progress with the tomato specialities, such as cherry and cocktail tomatoes. They have become the majority in value since last year, accounting for 54% of imports in 2022/2023, compared with 50% in the 2021-22 season. Europe accounts for 94% of the Moroccan exports, Sub-Saharan Africa for 4% and the Gulf States for 0.4%. Germany is the only country to which Moroccan exports are increasing. 23,000 tonnes of tomatoes were imported directly, an increase of +414% compared to 2022/2023.