Sophie Colvine
, François-Xavier Branthôme
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Global tomato processing volume now expected at 38.9 million metric tonnes
The latest clarifications made by the WPTC to the 2021 processing forecasts slightly lower the expected level of global activity, by 0.5% compared to our previous estimate and by 2% compared to the initial intentions expressed at the beginning of the year. The 2021 target is currently estimated at around 38.92 million metric tonnes, up slightly (+0.8%) from the 2020 final result (38.6 million tonnes).
AMITOM countries
Egypt
The forecast is confirmed at 440,000 tonnes.
France
After a rainy month of May, weather conditions and temperatures are now good. Planting is progressing fast and should finish around 10 June. The forecast remains 180,000 tonnes from approximately 2,500 hectares.
Greece
The weather is good, and planting is now finished in all regions. The forecast remains 460,000 tonnes.
Hungary
There is no change to the forecast of 100,000 tonnes.
Italy
The forecast remains 5.4 million tonnes.
In the South, the negotiations between growers and processors were concluded in the last week of May: the average reference prices applicable will be 105 euros/metric tonne for the round tomatoes and 115 euros/metric tonne for the long tomatoes, a 10 euro/tonne increased compared with 2020.
Portugal
Planting is now finished after a few interruptions due to rain. The forecast remains 1.4 million tonnes.
Russia
Transplanting is on schedule and should be finished in three weeks. The weather in the spring was favorable and the rains in May have not affected operations. The forecast remains 550,000 tonnes.
Spain
While transplanting is now finished in Andalusia and in Extremadura, it continues in the North of the country. Despite the low water availability in Andalusia, the surfaces planted are higher than expected so the forecast is now raised to 3.1 million tonnes.
Ukraine
About 80% of the surfaces have now been planted despite a cold and wet weather in May. It is now cold (12°C) and rain is expected until the end of the week which could delay the end of the planting to 10-12 June. The forecast remains 850,000 tonnes.
Tunisia
The panting operations finished at the end of April with a total of 17,000 hectares for a volume to be processed expected at 1 million tonnes. The recent wet weather has favored the development of late blight mainly in the Cap Bon region where 35% of the crop is planted, but early treatment should reduce the impact on the yields. The harvest should start during the third week of June.
Other Northern hemisphere countries
California
The official forecast was released by USDA on 28 May. It reduced the expectations of volume by 400,000 short tons and surfaces by 9000 acres, with 11.6 million short tons (10.52 million metric tonnes) of processing tomatoes, and 231,000 acres (93,300 hectares) now expected. The temperatures are currently very high so some of the late planting operations are currently delayed.
China
The transplanting work is progressing smoothly and has been completed. The estimate remains 4.8 million tonnes.
Japan
Transplanting has just finished throughout Japan in May, and growth is going well so far. The forecast remains as before at 32,000 tonnes.
USA Outside California
The outlook is currently very good. Planting started with a small delay due to cold and wet weather. The Midwest planting is on schedule and planning for a harvest similar to last year. There are no long term weather or climate related challenges like in California: the Midwest we experience rain and thunderstorms throughout the growing season that on occasion will affect part of the crop. Tonnage and acre estimates remain unchanged from before at 500,000 short tons (453,000 metric tonnes) and 14,700 acres (59,400 hectares).
Southern hemisphere countries
Argentina
The record production of 594,572 tonnes from 7,336 hectares was already reported. Yields are increasing in Argentina notably thanks to the efforts of the Association Tomate 2000, and in San Juan an average of 110 t/ha was achieved this year. It is hoped that a similar or higher volume can be processed next year in order to reduce the country’s reliance on imported paste.
Australia
The season was uneventful for once and good with deliveries following the schedules to reach a total of 230,000 tonnes as reported before.
Chile
The final volume of production was already reported at 1,174,000 metric tonnes from 12,230 hectares. Despite rain at the beginning of the harvest in January and February, which affected the final yield and reduced slightly the total volume, it was a very good year. Estimated average field yield was about 95 t/ha at country level, when it could have been above 100 t/ha. There is concern about the permanent drought but there has been a significant growth of drip irrigation in recent years, with 75% of the surface now compared to 30% five years ago. Production in 2022 is currently expected to be at a similar level.
Peru
As previously reported, final 2021 production was 120,000 tonnes from 900 hectares.
South Africa
No change in the forecast at 149,000 tonnes.
Source: WPTC
WPTC world production estimate:
