Between January and October 2024, Spain imported 173.63 million kilos of tomatoes, i.e. 12.6% or 19.5 million kilos more than the 154.18 million kilos it imported in the same period of 2023, according to a report drawn up by Hortoinfo based on data from ICEX and the Tax Agency.
However, the total value of purchases only increased by 2.39%, due to a reduction in the average price of tomatoes, which went from 1.15 euros per kilo in 2023 to 1.05 euros per kilo in 2024. Thus, 2024's imports amounted to 181.59 million euros, compared to 177.35 million in the previous year.
Portugal was Spain's main tomato supplier in 2024, consolidating its position since it unseated Morocco in 2023. Between January and October, Portuguese exports reached 86.25 million kilos (22.2% more than in 2023), accounting for 49.67% of total imports.
These imports amounted to 73.73 million euros, with an average price of 0.85 euros per kilo, lower than the 0.95 euros recorded in 2023.
Morocco was Spain's second biggest tomato supplier with 42.47 million kilos (9.4% more than in the same period the previous year), a 24.46% share of all imports, worth 56.7 million euros and an average price of 1.34 euros per kilo.
The Netherlands ranked third, with a 7.7% increase in tomato sales to Spain. The average price of Dutch tomatoes fell slightly, from 1.22 euros per kilo in 2023 to 1.16 euros per kilo in 2024.
In contrast to other countries, Belgium recorded a 7.7% decrease in exported volume, going from 10.31 million kilos in 2023 to 9.51 million kilos in 2024. In addition, the average price of Belgian tomatoes also fell, from 1 euro per kilo to 0.96 euros per kilo.
The growth in tomato imports reflects greater diversification in international suppliers. While Portugal and Morocco lead sales to Spain, the price variations are evidence of a context of competition in the European market, marked by an overall reduction in product costs.
The data show a sustained upward trend in imports, which will depend on market conditions and trade policies in the coming months.
Source: hortoinfo.es