A small market study: tomatoes

摘要

In Germany, tomato is the most important vegetable and household consumption reached a peak of 12.3 kg. However, only 5.4% (47000 t) is grown in Germany. German consumers would prefer home grown produce, but not with higher prices. Main importers are Spain (40%) and the Netherlands (28%). In 1993, 71% of all tomatoes were round tomatoes, while in 2001 this was only 33% of the assortment. Vine tomatoes increased to 43% and cherry tomatoes to 11%, while slicing tomatoes decreased to 3%. Spain is themost important tomato producer and exporter in Europe (2.15 million t), but it is lacking behind in the vine tomato trend (20% of total production). Italy (1.2 million t) and France (0.6 million t) have a more diversified production. The UK has also a high import rate and domestic production (25%) is further depressed by a negative currency impact.