MOROCCO – Morocco has secured its position as the European Union’s second-largest supplier of tomatoes in 2023, following the Netherlands.

Data from Euroestacom (ICEX-Eurostat), as reported by Hortoinfo, reveals that Morocco’s market share experienced an impressive growth of 18.86% over the past five years.

This development comes at the expense of Spain, which saw a decline of 25.2% in market share during the same period, consequently dropping to the third position.

Meanwhile, the Netherlands, although still holding the top spot, experienced a decrease in market share by 18.62%.

In 2023, the EU recorded tomato imports of 2,643.83 million kilos, marking a 3.21% decrease from 2019.

The total value of these imports amounted to 5,091.73 million euros, with an average price of 1.93 euros per kilo.

The Netherlands maintained its lead by selling 650.74 million kilos of tomatoes in the EU in 2023, representing 24.61% of the total volume.

However, Morocco made a significant leap by selling 491.91 million kilos, surpassing Spain, which secured the third position with 462.66 million kilos.

Turkey also experienced substantial growth, selling 248.76 million kilos in 2023, marking a noteworthy increase from 2019.

In terms of revenue, the Netherlands emerged as the leading supplier in 2023, with sales totaling 1,331.75 million euros.

Spain secured the second position with sales worth 981.64 million euros, and Morocco followed closely in third place with sales of 971.7 million euros.

The average price per kilo played a crucial role in determining market positions. The Netherlands maintained an average price of 2.05 euros per kilo, contributing to its leading revenue position.

Spain, with an average price of 2.12 euros per kilo, saw an increase in sales compared to 2019. Morocco, securing third place, maintained an average price of 1.98 euros per kilo.

Turkey, ranking fourth in revenue, demonstrated a substantial growth in sales, totaling 332 million euros with an average price of 1.33 euros per kilo. This marked a significant increase from its 2019 sales of 90.31 million euros.

In response to this remarkable development, industry experts have weighed in on Morocco’s ascent in the EU tomato market. Juan Martinez, a market analyst, stated, Morocco’s consistent growth reflects its competitiveness and ability to meet European demands. This shift signals a changing landscape in the tomato trade within the EU.

As Morocco continues to strengthen its foothold in the EU market, this shift prompts a reevaluation of traditional dynamics in the tomato supply chain, setting the stage for a more diversified and competitive market landscape.

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