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Tomato exports from Mexico to the US are projected to recover in 2021
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In Mexico, tomatoes are the most widely produced vegetables. Tomato exports to the United States are economically significant and represent 99.7% of total Mexican exports. Exports in 2020 were valued at $2.3 billion. When the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was created in 1995, the exports were valued at only $406 million.
The reopening of the HoReCa channel in the U.S. and Mexico, the newly renegotiated Tomato Suspension Agreement between these countries, and good export prices have reinforced tomato production in Mexico. Production under protected agriculture systems keeps growing as it provides higher yields and quality.
According to a GAIN report issued by Foreign Agricultural Service of USDA, tomato production in Mexico in 2021 will slightly recover from previous year, if the weather is stable and if there is sufficient rainfall levels in Sinaloa, the main producing state.
Even though there is no certain forecast for tomato production in crop year 2022, report forecasts 3.32 MMT, if the weather conditions allow it.
Production forecast for crop year 2021
At the same time, final production levels are still uncertain, due to ongoing droughts in the country.
The export estimate for the 2020/21 season is 1.80 MT, and exports to the US are forecast at 1.8 MT.
Tomato production in Mexico is highly concentrated, with 6 states producing 53% of the national total in 2020. Tomatoes are produced in Mexico throughout the year, with a fall/winter cycle and a spring/summer cycle stretching over 18 months and measured by an agricultural year (AY) from October to March (plus one year). The tomato marketing year is covered from October to September.
source: usda.gov.com
photo: frutinet.com
