Imports from Morocco and Turkey increase as EU tomato harvest declines
The average annual tomato harvest in the EU-27 fell by 6.8% between 2015–2017 and 2022–2024, from 6.74 to 6.28 million tons, while imports from Morocco and Turkey are rising faster than domestic production.
The EU trade balance for tomatoes has shifted from a structural surplus to a deficit, driven by a steady decline in production and a shrinking area under cultivation. Imports from Morocco and Turkey have been growing much faster than European domestic production, increasing their market presence, especially during periods of lower EU output.
Spain, the Netherlands, and France have reported slight declines in tomato production, while Italy has expanded significantly. Overall, the EU remains largely self-sufficient in tomatoes, but the reduction in harvest volumes increases reliance on imports, impacting prices and competition in European markets, including Poland.
In Belarus, tomato production rose by 13.7% year-on-year in the first half of 2026, reaching 22,945 tonnes, up from 20,185 tonnes for the same period in 2025. Belarus has also added red tomatoes (excluding cherry and truss) to its state order system for the off-season (1 November to 30 April), introducing maximum prices set by the Ministry of Antimonopoly Regulation and Trade.
Austrian and Hungarian growers, such as the Zeiler company, continue to supply supermarkets year-round through extensive greenhouse production, with operations recently expanding to the United Kingdom. The total greenhouse area for Zeiler tomatoes is now 35 hectares, supplemented by contract growers.
The area under greenhouse cultivation for fruit vegetables in the EU is increasing, compensating for reductions in open-field production. However, total tomato harvests still show a downward trend, with annual fluctuations caused by weather conditions and disease pressure. This trend impacts supply and may affect import demand from countries such as Poland.
Material prepared by the editorial team of fresh-market.info, editor Artur Spiker · Illustrative image generated by AI