In 2024, Spain’s tomato export figures have shown a significant increase, with the country exporting 499.99 million kilograms of tomatoes between January and September, marking an 18.6% rise compared to the same period in 2023. However, despite the boost in volume, the price at which Spain is selling its tomatoes has significantly dropped, with a 23.9% decrease in average export price. The average price for Spanish tomatoes during this period stood at 1.56 EUR/kg, down from 2.05 EUR/kg in 2023, reflecting a decline of 49 cents per kilogram.
This price drop has led to a decline in export revenue. For the first nine months of 2024, Spain’s tomato exports generated 780.31 million EUR, which represents a 9.61% reduction from the previous year’s revenue of 863.14 million EUR. The decrease in revenue amounted to a loss of 82.83 million EUR, despite the increase in export volume.
Germany has emerged as one of the biggest buyers of Spanish tomatoes, with its imports up by 25.97% in 2024. However, the increase in volume is accompanied by a notable price drop of 21.92%, with Germany now purchasing tomatoes at an average price of 1.71 EUR/kg. This reflects a significant reduction in costs, which could be attributed to the broader price trends in the European tomato market.
Other countries have also increased their tomato purchases from Spain. France saw a 23.07% rise in tomato imports, but with a 30.25% decrease in the price, while the UK’s tomato imports grew by 3.73%, albeit at a 6.35% lower price. The Netherlands, on the other hand, reduced its tomato purchases by 5.12% and lowered its price by 23.44%.
Despite the price decline, the growing demand for Spanish tomatoes is evident, particularly in Germany, which accounted for 31.67% of Spain’s tomato exports in the first three quarters of 2024. However, the sharp price reduction is likely to put pressure on the profitability of Spanish tomato producers, especially as the global agricultural market faces cost inflation and economic uncertainty.
The increase in Spanish tomato exports is a positive development for the sector, but the sharp drop in prices raises concerns over profitability. While Germany is leading the charge in increased tomato purchases, other major markets like France and the UK are also contributing to the growth. However, the overall price drop indicates that Spanish producers are facing a challenging market environment, where price reductions are not necessarily matched by revenue growth. To ensure long-term sustainability, Spanish tomato growers will need to explore ways to improve efficiency, reduce production costs, and explore new markets with higher price points.
