United Kingdom: Tomato Market Overview 2021

Tomato Market Size in the UK

The UK tomato market declined slightly to $X in 2020, with a decrease of -X% against the previous year. Overall, consumption continues to indicate a pronounced downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of X% year-to-year. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2007; however, from 2008 to 2020, consumption failed to regain the momentum.

Tomato Production in the UK

In value terms, tomato production stood at $X in 2020 estimated in export prices. In general, production showed a noticeable curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of X% y-o-y. Tomato production peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2020, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The average yield of tomatoes in the UK reduced slightly to X tonnes per ha in 2020, standing approx. at the previous year's figure. In general, the yield continues to indicate a mild shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the yield increased by X% year-to-year. As a result, the yield attained the peak level of X tonnes per ha. from 2015 to 2020, the growth of the average tomato yield remained at a somewhat lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2020, the harvested area of tomatoes in the UK fell to X ha, dropping by -X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area recorded a mild downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when the harvested area increased by X% year-to-year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to tomato production reached the peak figure at X ha in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2020, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Tomato Exports

Exports from the UK

In 2020, overseas shipments of tomatoes decreased by -X% to X tonnes, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. Overall, exports saw a mild curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of X% y-o-y. Over the period under review, exports hit record highs at X tonnes in 2011; however, from 2012 to 2020, exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, tomato exports fell rapidly to $X in 2020. In general, exports showed a mild reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of X% y-o-y. Exports peaked at $X in 2011; however, from 2012 to 2020, exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Ireland (X tonnes) was the main destination for tomato exports from the UK, with a X% share of total exports. Moreover, tomato exports to Ireland exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, the United Arab Emirates (X tonnes), sevenfold. The Netherlands (X tonnes) ranked third in terms of total exports with a X% share.

From 2007 to 2020, the average annual growth rate of volume to Ireland totaled -X%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the United Arab Emirates (+X% per year) and the Netherlands (+X% per year).

In value terms, Ireland ($X) remains the key foreign market for tomato exports from the UK, comprising X% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by the United Arab Emirates ($X), with a X% share of total exports. It was followed by the Netherlands, with a X% share.

From 2007 to 2020, the average annual growth rate of value to Ireland amounted to -X%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the United Arab Emirates (+X% per year) and the Netherlands (+X% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2020, the average tomato export price amounted to $X per tonne, flattening at the previous year. In general, the export price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the average export price increased by X% year-to-year. The export price peaked at $X per tonne in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2020, export prices failed to regain the momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by the country of destination; the country with the highest price was the United Arab Emirates ($X per tonne), while the average price for exports to Poland ($X per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2020, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the Czech Republic, while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Tomato Imports

Imports into the UK

In 2020, approx. X tonnes of tomatoes were imported into the UK; falling by -X% compared with 2019 figures. In general, imports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2011 with an increase of X% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tonnes in 2008; however, from 2009 to 2020, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, tomato imports contracted slightly to $X in 2020. Overall, imports continue to indicate a mild contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of X% y-o-y. Imports peaked at $X in 2007; however, from 2008 to 2020, imports failed to regain the momentum.

Imports by Country

The Netherlands (X tonnes), Spain (X tonnes) and Morocco (X tonnes) were the main suppliers of tomato imports to the UK, with a combined X% share of total imports.

From 2007 to 2020, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Morocco, while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X), Spain ($X) and Morocco ($X) appeared to be the largest tomato suppliers to the UK, together comprising X% of total imports.

In terms of the main suppliers, Morocco saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2020, the average tomato import price amounted to $X per tonne, with an increase of X% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, saw a slight decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the average import price increased by X% year-to-year. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the peak figure at $X per tonne in 2007; however, from 2008 to 2020, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2020, the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per tonne), while the price for Morocco ($X per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2020, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Belgium, while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :

What are the largest markets for tomatoes in the world?

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China (65M tonnes) remains the largest tomato consuming country worldwide, accounting for 35% of total volume. Moreover, tomato consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, India (20M tonnes), threefold. Turkey (13M tonnes) ranked third in terms of total consumption with a 6.8% share.

What are the largest producers of tomatoes in the world?

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The country with the largest volume of tomato production was China (66M tonnes), comprising approx. 35% of total volume. Moreover, tomato production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, India (20M tonnes), threefold. The third position in this ranking was occupied by Turkey (13M tonnes), with a 7% share.

What are the leading suppliers of tomatoes to the UK?

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In value terms, the largest tomato suppliers to the UK were the Netherlands ($251M), Spain ($136M) and Morocco ($119M), with a combined 81% share of total imports.

What are the leading importers of tomatoes from the UK?

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In value terms, Ireland ($6.1M) remains the key foreign market for tomato exports from the UK, comprising 72% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by the United Arab Emirates ($1.1M), with a 13% share of total exports. It was followed by the Netherlands, with a 5.9% share.

What is the average export price for tomatoes in the UK?

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In 2020, the average tomato export price amounted to $2,283 per tonne, approximately mirroring the previous year.

What is the average import price for tomatoes in the UK?

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The average tomato import price stood at $1,658 per tonne in 2020, picking up by 3.7% against the previous year.