Italian tomato prices rise 15% year-on-year as volumes decline

In Italy, the average price of tomatoes increased by 15% since the start of the year, while volumes sold dropped by 6%.

In Italy, the tomato category has experienced a persistent decline in volumes, with sales down 11% in April, 10% in May, and 7% year-on-year in week 26 (end of June). The cumulative decrease since the start of 2026 stands at 6%. Despite lower volumes, the average mixed price for tomatoes grew 15% year-on-year, compared to a 3% increase in the general vegetable category. In June, tomato prices rose by 12%, which more than offset the drop in sales volumes, although in week 26, the total turnover for tomatoes fell by 3% due to continued weakness in demand.

Italian growers, especially in regions such as Sicily and the Agro Pontino (Latina province), continue to introduce new tomato varieties, including cherry and datterino types, aimed at improving yield and resilience to high temperatures. The launch of new branded cherry tomato products from Terracina is targeting both domestic and export markets, with emphasis on quality and traceability. Packaging innovations and the use of traditional varieties are being employed to maintain competitiveness in retail channels.

In Spain, initiatives to reduce food waste are focusing on the processing of tomatoes that do not meet fresh market standards due to size or appearance. These efforts are designed to create value-added products and contribute to the circular economy, potentially increasing the overall utilization of tomato harvests. This could have an effect on raw material availability for processing and export.

In the Netherlands, greenhouse tomato growers are increasingly installing insect screen systems to protect crops with minimal impact on climate control. Trials in Westland showed a temperature increase of only 0.3°C after installation, supporting stable summer production. These technological upgrades are expected to help maintain consistent supply for export markets, including Poland.

The Italian tomato market’s higher prices and lower volumes, combined with ongoing innovation in production and supply chain management in Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands, are likely to affect export offers and competition for importers such as Poland in the coming weeks.

Material prepared by the editorial team of fresh-market.info, editor Artur Spiker