WPTC
, François-Xavier Branthôme
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Good weather in September in many countries, including notably Italy and Spain, allowed to make up for the quantities impacted by the heatwaves at the beginning of the harvest. The shift from previous prospects however remain limited as the results in California and Iran are significantly lower than initially expected. As of 12 October, the preliminary results for 2017 global processed quantities amount to 37.355 million metric tonnes, about 850 000 mT (2.2%) less than in 2016 (38.07 million mT), and 2% less than initially projected for the ending crop (38.2 million mT, value January 2017).
AMITOM countries
EU countries
France
As of 1st October 172,000 tonnes had been delivered to the factories, with 6.7% refraction. Harvest is finishing this week in the south-east and by 15-20 October in the south-west and the total delivered should be close to 195,000 tonnes.
Greece
Some factories are still working but production will be totally finished next week. The total volume estimate remains 400,000 tonnes. This figure is a large reduction from the 480,000 tonnes initial target due to a succession of rains and heatwaves early in the season which lead to heavy losses. Average brix was slightly over 5.
Italy
The very good weather in September lead to an increase in the total volume which is now established at 5.2 million tonnes.
In the North, the final figures will be available in the next few days but the number should be 2.732 million tonnes. This is higher than the initial estimate of 2.55 million tonnes as farm yields were very good in September. Brix, however, was very low throughout the season at under 4.7 on average so the processing yields were poor and the volume of finished products lower than normal.
In the South, the total production has been estimated at 2.47 million tonnes: while the figures for ANICAV members are accurate (1.93 million tonnes), the production of non-members is more difficult to collect. Quality this year was quite good and farm yields were excellent at above 90 t/ha on average and over 100 t/ha for long varieties and with the absence of diseases due to a very dry summer with no rain from mid-July to the end of August. The downside was the higher cost of irrigation.
Portugal
The 2017 crop was a very difficult one and very difficult to predict hence there were several changes of estimate throughout the season. The harvest is now finished and final production is established at 1.554 million tonnes. Average brix was between 5 and 5.2.
Spain
The harvest is now finished in Extremadura and in Andalusia and will continue until 20-25 October in Navarra were conditions are good. The season went well in Andalusia but was strange in Extremadura with 2 to 3 weeks of low production in August, when factories were running at reduced capacity, followed by a good September. Overall, average yield is over 90 t/ha, probably the highest in history. Quality was “normal” but average brix lower than average at about 4.8. The total production is estimated at 3.3 million tonnes.
Outside the EU
Tunisia
The volume processed in 2017 was 643,000 tonnes, from a total volume of 900,000 tonnes of tomatoes harvested from the 14,275 hectares planted. Final volumes produced were c.96,000 tonnes of 28/30 tomato paste and 13,000 tonnes of canned tomatoes.
Turkey
The crop has finished with the total volume processed being estimated by processors from 1.85 to 2.0 million tonnes but the general consensus is closer to 1.9 million tonnes mark. During the season the retail market prices were stable which implies that the industry didn't have too strong an appetite to process. The Brix was considerably lower on average especially up north with a country average expected around 4.6 which in turn of course had affected factory yields.
This year Turkey has started work on crop estimation using satellite imagery. The project is still in its very early stages but hopefully, in years to come we will be able to provide more accurate information.
Ukraine
The season is now finished and the final production is at the level of the 650,000 tonnes forecast. This was a good season with no interruption due to rain, good yields of about 90 t/ha. Average brix was 5.05 but was unusually higher in August than in September.
Other WPTC countries
Argentina
Planting is currently ongoing on a surface of c. 6,000 hectares (6,195 ha in 2016/17) and total production in 2018 should reach 500,000 tonnes from 480,000 tonnes in 2017.
Australia
Planting commenced on 25 September 2017 for the 2017/18 season. The forecast at this stage is expected to be around 280,000 tonnes.
Brazil
Brazilian tomato season were really good most because climate conditions with low maximum temperatures and very dry with relative humidity under 10%. Good yield with average 83 t/ha with a total area of 17,400 hectares, high brix at 4.7 average instead 4.4 brix last year and a total volume of 1.45 million tonnes
California
The 2017 season was a difficult one and will end in the next few days with a total volume of about 10.5 million short tonnes (9.52 million metric tonnes). The heat reduced farm yields with some fields seeing them down to 30 tons per acre when expectations were for 50.
Canada
Harvest is winding down with most processors either finished, or very near completion. As of today’s date, approximately 99% of total contract volume has been delivered, with the expectation to achieve slightly above contract tonnage.
Chile
Plantings were delayed slightly due to rains. The total forecast for 2018 is 1.1 million tonnes.
China
A detailed report on the 2017 season will be available in the next few days. Harvest is now finished and total production was probably over the 5.5 million estimate.
Peru
Processing will start in November and will finish in February. The weather is good so far. The total volume processed should be c. 110,000 tonnes.
South Africa
The current crop estimate for the 2017 crop is kept on 160,000 tonnes. The warm weather can influence the yield negatively. The plantings of new season crop in the Western Cape is delayed due to the effect of the drought and the low dam levels.
Other countries
Other US states
The harvest should finish by early next week. Some rain delayed harvest at the end of the crop but fruits remain in good shape and quality good. Total production in the Midwest should be around 450,000 short tons (408,000 metric tonnes).
Hungary
Harvest ended on 30 September not far short of the target volume. Tomato quality was the best in recent years. The total volume processed in the country is estimated at 100,000 tonnes.
Sources: WPTC, Tomato News
