"On September 1st, 2024, French tomato production for the fresh market was estimated at 477,000 tons for the 2024 campaign, an increase of 24,500 tons compared to 2023 (+5%). In August 2024, prices were 23% higher than in 2023 and 20% higher than the 2019-2023 average for the same period. This rise in prices comes after a complicated marketing period during the spring and early summer," according to the Agreste economic report.
Contrasting levels of production between different production areas
"The national area sown with tomatoes for the fresh market in 2024 is expected to be stable from last year, at 2,614 hectares, but 3% lower than the 2019-2023 average. The national tomato production for the fresh market is estimated at 477,000 tons in 2024, which is 5% higher than last year, due to an increase in production of almost 40,000 tons in the Centre-West basin, following a particularly low production in 2023. However, national production is expected to be 6% below the five-year average, due to a weak production in southeastern and western France (-16% and -18% respectively, compared to the five-year average).
The 2024 campaign is characterized by a delay in production in June, due mainly to a low level of production in the Centre-West region, where the lack of light caused the fruit to ripen too slowly."
Marketing: a more favourable situation from July onwards
"In May 2024, the supply expanded in a trading context disrupted by weather that was not conducive to consumption. Prices fell to a level 8% lower than in May 2023, but still 7% above the five-year average. In June, the weather did not improve in the north of France, and the demand was not always sufficient to meet the supply. Prices were 28% lower than in June 2023. This drop in prices is particularly marked for small fruit.
From mid-July onwards, sales became more fluid and the market recovered. In August, the weather was more favourable to consumption, enabling volumes to be sold at prices 23% higher than in 2023, and 20% higher than the average of the last five years.
Between January and July 2024, exports (197,000 tons) were down by 6% and imports (366,400 tons) were 8% higher than last year during the same period. Overall, the foreign trade deficit in tomatoes in volume terms rose by 32% in one year."
Source: agreste.agriculture.gouv.fr
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