"According to forecasts drawn up on November 1st, 2024, French tomato production for the fresh market is estimated at 475,500 tons for the 2024 campaign, which is 23,100 tons higher than in 2023 (+5%). In October 2024, prices were 12% lower than in 2023, but 16% higher than the 2019-2023 average for the same month. These trends are driven by price trends for small fruit tomatoes (-30% year-on-year, +3% compared to the five-year average)," according to the Agreste economic outlook.
Tomato yields are down in all regions, except for the Center-West region
The national area sown to tomatoes for the fresh market in 2024 is expected to be stable from last year, at 2,616 hectares, but 2% lower than the 2019-2023 average. National tomato production for the fresh market is estimated at 475,500 tons in 2024 (+5% from 2023). Production is expected to increase in the Center-West basin (+60% after the low levels of 2023), but to drop in the other basins. However, the national production is expected to be 6% below the five-year average, due in particular to the steady decrease in production in the West basin (-17%).
After a delay in June, production in the 2024 campaign reached a summer peak above the five-year average. Wetter and more unsettled weather in September brought production back down to a level close to the five-year average.
Difficult marketing for small fruit tomatoes from September onwards
In September, the market became sluggish due to unfavourable weather. Prices were nevertheless higher than in September 2023 (+4%) and the five-year average (+10%). On the other hand, for cherry and cocktail tomatoes, the abundant supply is not sold easily due to the strong competition from imports, leading to prices well below those of September 2023 (-25%). In October, sales difficulties continued for small fruit tomatoes. At the same time, grape tomatoes are trading on firmer terms, against a backdrop of more limited supply.
Between January and September 2024, tomato exports (225,700 tons) were up 4% on the same period last year, while imports (422,300 tons) were up 11%, contributing to a 22% increase in the foreign trade deficit in volume terms.
Source: Agreste
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