The challenges of growing tomatoes and balancing the markets are ever present across many growing countries. The European Commission’s new monthly tomato price overviews from Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, and France, by away of AI analysis shows cultivation declined by 700,000 tons over the past decade. Imports only increased by 400,000 tons. Dutch tomato cultivation is “back to normal.” Winter cultivation is also ongoing in Belgium. In Italy tomatoes fetch high prices due to shortages, with a delayed start caused by excessive heat and drought in Sicily. Germany’s tomato prices are rising as supply from multiple countries are decreasing slightly. Since the beginning of the week, the market has turned completely upside down in France with tomato consumption plummeting at the onset of colder winter temperatures. Israel’s tomato shortage, after their major supplier Turkey banned exports, was somewhat relieved with local supply and imports from the Netherlands and Poland. Spain has had smooth demand and prices at the start of the season with favourable weather in key growing regions too.
