The fruit and vegetable federation Fepex has expressed concern that European tomato production will drop 3% this year, while imports will grow by the same percentage, according to the latest report on short-term agricultural prospects from the European Commission (EC).
In a statement, Fepex has defended the adoption of “measures to stop this trend and strengthen community production” of tomatoes.
The volume will fall to 6.22 million tons due, according to the EC, to lower production in greenhouses due to the high cost of energy and changes in the varieties planted, which are being oriented towards the Cherry variety, explained Fepex.
Fresh tomato imports will grow to 730,000 tons (+3%) in 2022, largely due to the loss of sales in the United Kingdom after Brexit, from which time this country promoted the entry of Moroccan product.
In the last five years, European fresh tomato production has decreased by 5% while imports have increased by 67%, with Morocco and Turkey as the main products of origin.
–
–
