Eastern Europe: Tomato Market 2025

Tomato Market Size in Eastern Europe

The East European tomato market dropped to $X in 2022, falling by -6.2% against the previous year. In general, consumption continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Tomato Production in Eastern Europe

In value terms, tomato production reduced to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production recorded a pronounced downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 33% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the maximum level at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Russia (X tons), Ukraine (X tons) and Poland (X tons), with a combined 84% share of total production. Romania, Belarus, Hungary and Bulgaria lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 15%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the leading producing countries, was attained by Hungary (with a CAGR of +4.1%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2022, the average yield of tomatoes in Eastern Europe declined slightly to X tons per ha, waning by -2.8% compared with 2021. The yield indicated a noticeable increase from 2012 to 2022: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +4.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, tomato yield increased by +53.3% against 2013 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 11%. Over the period under review, the tomato yield reached the maximum level at X tons per ha in 2021, and then dropped in the following year. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, the total area harvested in terms of tomatoes production in Eastern Europe reached X ha, approximately reflecting 2021. In general, the harvested area, however, showed a pronounced shrinkage. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to tomato production attained the peak figure at X ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Tomato Exports

Exports in Eastern Europe

In 2022, overseas shipments of tomatoes were finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2016, thus ending a five-year declining trend. Overall, exports, however, recorded a abrupt contraction. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, tomato exports rose rapidly to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, showed a pronounced downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 17%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Poland represented the key exporter of tomatoes in Eastern Europe, with the volume of exports recording X tons, which was approx. 41% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Belarus (X tons), Russia (X tons), Hungary (X tons) and Bulgaria (X tons), together comprising a 44% share of total exports. The following exporters - Slovakia (X tons) and the Czech Republic (X tons) - each accounted for an 8.4% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to tomato exports from Poland stood at -1.1%. At the same time, Russia (+49.1%), Bulgaria (+28.8%), Hungary (+20.2%) and Slovakia (+5.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Russia emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Eastern Europe, with a CAGR of +49.1% from 2012-2022. Belarus experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, the Czech Republic (-2.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Poland (+13 p.p.), Russia (+9.5 p.p.), Belarus (+8.1 p.p.), Bulgaria (+6.7 p.p.), Hungary (+6.5 p.p.) and Slovakia (+2.8 p.p.) increased significantly, the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Poland ($X) remains the largest tomato supplier in Eastern Europe, comprising 42% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Belarus ($X), with a 15% share of total exports. It was followed by Bulgaria, with an 8.9% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Poland was relatively modest. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Belarus (-1.4% per year) and Bulgaria (+32.4% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Eastern Europe stood at $X per ton in 2022, declining by -2.3% against the previous year. Export price indicated modest growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, tomato export price increased by +63.4% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the export price increased by 22% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton, and then fell modestly in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Slovakia ($X per ton), while Russia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Slovakia (+4.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Tomato Imports

Imports in Eastern Europe

In 2022, overseas purchases of tomatoes decreased by -1.3% to X tons, falling for the fourth consecutive year after two years of growth. Overall, imports showed a slight curtailment. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 13% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, tomato imports expanded to $X in 2022. In general, imports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 19%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Russia was the main importing country with an import of about X tons, which resulted at 40% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Poland (X tons), Ukraine (X tons), Bulgaria (X tons), Romania (X tons) and the Czech Republic (X tons), together achieving a 47% share of total imports. Slovakia (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to tomato imports into Russia stood at -5.7%. At the same time, Bulgaria (+10.7%), Romania (+7.6%), Ukraine (+6.9%), Poland (+5.0%) and Slovakia (+1.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Bulgaria emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Eastern Europe, with a CAGR of +10.7% from 2012-2022. By contrast, the Czech Republic (-2.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Poland, Bulgaria, Ukraine and Romania increased by +8.1, +5.7, +4.9 and +4.6 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Russia ($X), Poland ($X) and Romania ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 64% share of total imports. The Czech Republic, Ukraine, Bulgaria and Slovakia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 23%.

Bulgaria, with a CAGR of +14.5%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Eastern Europe stood at $X per ton in 2022, rising by 6.1% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.7%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the import price increased by 10% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices reached the peak figure in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Slovakia ($X per ton), while Bulgaria ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Romania (+5.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :