“According to the latest estimates as of November 1st, 2023, the surface area planted with tomatoes for the fresh market for the 2023 campaign would be 2,660 hectares, which is similar to last year and the 2018-2022 average. French tomato production for the fresh market in 2023, estimated at 475,000 tons, is 9% lower than last year and 12% lower than the 2018-2022 average, with lower yields in greenhouse production. This decline is less marked than in previous estimates (September 1st), as the sunny weather at the end of the campaign enabled greenhouse growers to continue production. After a price drop in July, producer prices started to increase again and remained above the 2018-2022 average from August onwards, thanks to weather conditions that were more favorable to consumption,” according to the Agreste conjuncture note.
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“Lower French production due to greenhouse crops”
“As of November 1st, 2023, the surface area planted with tomatoes for the fresh market is estimated at 2,660 hectares, confirming previous estimates (June 1st). However, the situation varies from basin to basin, with an 18% drop in the Centre-Ouest region compared with the average of the last 5 years. Despite the overall stability in acreage, the French production in 2023 for the fresh market is expected to fall sharply, to 475,000 tons, which is 9% lower than last year and 12% lower than the 2018-2022 average.
The lower harvest is due solely to the greenhouse production (-9% compared to last year), which has suffered lower yields (energy savings). At the same time, outdoor production is expected to increase by 19% from last year. The drop in production is particularly marked in the Centre-Ouest (-31%). Only the southwestern region has seen its production increase (+18% compared to the 2018-2022 average).”
“The prolonged sunshine in September and October boosted consumption”
“In the spring of 2023, producer prices were higher than the 2018-2022 average, but lower than 2022 prices due to a lack of demand, poorly supported by rainy weather, and despite a more limited supply than in previous years. In June, consumption picked up thanks to more favorable weather, and prices were slightly above the 2022 levels. In July, the combination of peak production and unfavorable weather did not encourage consumption, causing prices to fall. In August, the return of the summer weather boosted consumption, and producer prices recovered.
The longer periods of sunshine in September and October boosted tomato consumption, and prices remained high. In October 2023, producer prices were down by 2% compared to the previous season, but 45% higher than the 2018-2022 average. Between January and September 2023, compared with the same period in 2022, imports (379,000 tons) were down by 1% and exports (232,000 tons) were up by 7%. Over this period, the 2023 trade deficit (-147,000 tons) was reduced by 13% compared to the previous campaign.”
Source: Agreste