According to a report by the European Commission, Morocco is expected to remain the EU’s main supplier of fresh tomatoes by 2035.
European tomato imports are projected to grow by 0.6% annually, reaching 822,000 tonnes in 2035. This increase is attributed to a forecasted annual decline in production of 0.3%, stabilizing at 6.33 million tonnes in 2035. The decline is linked to reduced winter production and a shift towards smaller tomato varieties, the report explains.
Meanwhile, fresh tomato consumption in the EU is expected to stabilize at 6.79 million tonnes by 2035, averaging 15.2 kg per capita. This stability is driven by the growing demand for smaller varieties, particularly cherry tomatoes, which are boosting the market, according to the report.
Decline in EU Exports
The production of tomatoes for processing is expected to rise by 1%, reaching approximately 11.6 million tonnes. At the same time, the consumption of processed tomatoes in the EU is projected to grow by 1.2% annually, exceeding 23 kg per capita by 2035.
This growth is fueled by increasing demand for processed foods, with products such as tomato paste and sauces holding a significant market share. However, EU exports of fresh tomatoes are expected to decline by 0.2%, reaching 362,000 tonnes by 2035, the report notes.
