Global Tomato Market: Rising Demand to Drive Market Volume to 206M Tons and Market Value to $211.4B by 2035

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Driven by global demand, the tomato market is forecasted to see steady growth in both volume and value over the next decade. The market is expected to expand with a CAGR of +0.8% in volume and +1.2% in value from 2024 to 2035, reaching 206M tons and $211.4B by the end of the period.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for tomatoes worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +0.8% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 206M tons by the end of 2035.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +1.2% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $211.4B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.

Consumption

World's Consumption of Tomatoes

In 2024, approx. 189M tons of tomatoes were consumed worldwide; waning by -1.6% on the previous year. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the period from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Global consumption peaked at 192M tons in 2023, and then declined modestly in the following year.

The global tomato market revenue shrank to $184.8B in 2024, waning by -2.8% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. Global consumption peaked at $190.2B in 2023, and then dropped slightly in the following year.

Consumption By Country

The country with the largest volume of tomato consumption was China (69M tons), comprising approx. 37% of total volume. Moreover, tomato consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, India (20M tons), threefold. The United States (13M tons) ranked third in terms of total consumption with a 7% share.

In China, tomato consumption expanded at an average annual rate of +2.9% over the period from 2013-2024. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of consumption growth: India (+1.2% per year) and the United States (-1.2% per year).

In value terms, China ($60.8B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was held by the United States ($25.1B). It was followed by Italy.

In China, the tomato market expanded at an average annual rate of +6.0% over the period from 2013-2024. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United States (+0.3% per year) and Italy (+2.9% per year).

The countries with the highest levels of tomato per capita consumption in 2024 were Turkey (147 kg per person), Italy (104 kg per person) and Spain (71 kg per person).

From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Nigeria (with a CAGR of +3.4%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World's Production of Tomatoes

In 2024, approx. 190M tons of tomatoes were produced worldwide; which is down by -1.5% on the previous year. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the period from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the production volume increased by 5.8%. Over the period under review, global production hit record highs at 192M tons in 2023, and then dropped modestly in the following year. The general positive trend in terms output was largely conditioned by a slight increase of the harvested area and a relatively flat trend pattern in yield figures.

In value terms, tomato production fell modestly to $189.2B in 2024 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% over the period from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the production volume increased by 9.5% against the previous year. Global production peaked at $195.7B in 2023, and then fell modestly in the following year.

Production By Country

China (69M tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of tomato production, comprising approx. 37% of total volume. Moreover, tomato production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, India (21M tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was held by Turkey (13M tons), with a 6.9% share.

In China, tomato production expanded at an average annual rate of +2.9% over the period from 2013-2024. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: India (+1.1% per year) and Turkey (+1.0% per year).

Yield

The global average tomato yield stood at 36 tons per ha in 2024, remaining constant against the year before. Over the period under review, the yield saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 4.2%. The global yield peaked at 37 tons per ha in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2024, the yield stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Harvested Area

In 2024, the total area harvested in terms of tomatoes production worldwide contracted modestly to 5.3M ha, falling by -1.6% on the previous year's figure. In general, the harvested area, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2023 when the harvested area increased by 3.2%. As a result, the harvested area reached the peak level of 5.4M ha, and then fell modestly in the following year.

Imports

World's Imports of Tomatoes

In 2024, approx. 7.3M tons of tomatoes were imported worldwide; rising by 3% on the previous year. In general, imports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 5.7% against the previous year. Global imports peaked at 8.1M tons in 2021; however, from 2022 to 2024, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, tomato imports fell slightly to $11.6B in 2024. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the period from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2023 with an increase of 28% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $11.7B, leveling off in the following year.

Imports By Country

The United States was the main importer of tomatoes in the world, with the volume of imports amounting to 2.1M tons, which was near 29% of total imports in 2024. France (588K tons) took the second position in the ranking, followed by Germany (576K tons), the UK (391K tons) and Pakistan (377K tons). All these countries together took near 27% share of total imports. The following importers - Russia (316K tons), the Netherlands (216K tons), Spain (210K tons), Canada (207K tons) and Poland (195K tons) - together made up 16% of total imports.

From 2013 to 2024, average annual rates of growth with regard to tomato imports into the United States stood at +3.0%. At the same time, Spain (+5.9%), Pakistan (+3.2%) and Poland (+3.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Spain emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +5.9% from 2013-2024. France, Canada and the UK experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, the Netherlands (-1.4%), Germany (-2.4%) and Russia (-8.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2013 to 2024, the share of the United States and Pakistan increased by +8.8 and +1.6 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United States ($3.6B) constitutes the largest market for imported tomatoes worldwide, comprising 31% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Germany ($1.4B), with a 12% share of global imports. It was followed by France, with a 10% share.

In the United States, tomato imports expanded at an average annual rate of +5.3% over the period from 2013-2024. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Germany (+0.1% per year) and France (+6.2% per year).

Import Prices By Country

The average tomato import price stood at $1,597 per ton in 2024, which is down by -3.7% against the previous year. Over the last eleven-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.6%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2023 when the average import price increased by 25%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $1,659 per ton, and then declined in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2024, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($2,455 per ton), while Pakistan ($139 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Spain (+6.7%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World's Exports of Tomatoes

In 2024, overseas shipments of tomatoes increased by 4% to 7.9M tons for the first time since 2021, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Over the period under review, exports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 6.6%. Over the period under review, the global exports reached the peak figure at 8.6M tons in 2021; however, from 2022 to 2024, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, tomato exports declined to $11.9B in 2024. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% over the period from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2023 when exports increased by 9.8%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $12B, and then fell slightly in the following year.

Exports By Country

In 2024, Mexico (2.1M tons) represented the largest exporter of tomatoes, constituting 26% of total exports. The Netherlands (800K tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 10% share, followed by Morocco (9.1%), Spain (8.3%), Turkey (6.2%) and Iran (5.3%). France (283K tons), Portugal (260K tons), Canada (239K tons) and the United States (212K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Exports from Mexico increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% from 2013 to 2024. At the same time, Iran (+41.2%), Portugal (+8.4%), Morocco (+4.2%), Canada (+3.6%) and France (+1.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Iran emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +41.2% from 2013-2024. Turkey and the United States experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, the Netherlands (-2.9%) and Spain (-4.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Iran (+5.1 p.p.), Mexico (+4.9 p.p.), Morocco (+2.8 p.p.) and Portugal (+1.8 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the global exports from 2013-2024, the share of the Netherlands (-5 p.p.) and Spain (-5.9 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Mexico ($3.3B), the Netherlands ($1.8B) and Spain ($1.2B) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2024, with a combined 53% share of global exports. Morocco, France, Canada, the United States, Turkey, Iran and Portugal lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 30%.

Iran, with a CAGR of +37.2%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

The average tomato export price stood at $1,500 per ton in 2024, dropping by -4.9% against the previous year. Over the last eleven-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.1%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2023 when the average export price increased by 21%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $1,576 per ton, and then reduced slightly in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Canada ($2,545 per ton), while Iran ($447 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Portugal (+5.2%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.