During the 2023/2024 campaign which has just ended, Morocco exported 572,000 tonnes of tomatoes, compared to 609,000 tonnes in 2022/2023, a drop of 8%. Tomato specialties, such as cherry tomatoes and cocktail tomatoes, have progressed well.
In-depth analysis of the global fresh tomato market, worth $11 billion in imports
Europe accounts for more than 50% of global fresh tomato imports, 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 global and European markets during the first Morocco Tomato Conference in Agadir on May 30, organized by Greensmile.
According to Morocco Foodex, global imports of fresh tomatoes have reached nearly 6.1 million tonnes, worth $11 billion by 2023. Europe, with 27 countries plus the UK (EU27 + UK -United), 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, worth $3.6 billion. Other import markets such as West Africa (500 tonnes), East Africa (300 tonnes), and the United Arab Emirates (20,000 tonnes) remain very small.
Morocco is the second supplier to Europe
Morocco currently occupies second place ahead of Spain and behind Holland as a supplier to the European market. The country has also become the 4th largest exporting country in the world. Its market share amounts to 22%, or $1.4 billion exported to the community market (EU-27). The Netherlands remains Europe’s leading supplier, with a market share of 27% and an export value of $1.8 billion, while Spain comes third with $1.3 billion. dollars.
Down 8% this season
During the 2023/2024 campaign which has just ended, Morocco exported 572,000 tonnes of tomatoes, compared to 609,000 tonnes in 2022/2023, a drop of 8%. Tomato specialties, such as cherry tomatoes and cocktail tomatoes, have progressed well. They have become the majority in value since last year, representing 54% of imports in 2022/2023, compared to 50% during the 2021-22 season. Europe represents 94% of Moroccan exports, sub-Saharan Africa 4%, and the Gulf countries 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.
