MERCOSUR: Tomato Market 2025

Tomato Market Size in MERCOSUR

The MERCOSUR tomato market rose significantly to $X in 2021, growing by 15% against the previous year. In general, consumption, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Tomato Production in MERCOSUR

In value terms, tomato production surged to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 104% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2021, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Brazil (X tons) remains the largest tomato producing country in MERCOSUR, comprising approx. 59% of total volume. Moreover, tomato production in Brazil exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Chile (X tons), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Argentina (X tons), with a 10% share.

In Brazil, tomato production remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Chile (+2.4% per year) and Argentina (-0.2% per year).

The average tomato yield stood at X tons per ha in 2021, remaining relatively unchanged against 2020. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 9.1%. The level of yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the yield stood at a somewhat lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

The tomato harvested area reached X ha in 2021, with an increase of 2.6% on 2020. Over the period under review, the harvested area, however, recorded a slight contraction. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to tomato production reached the peak figure at X ha in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Tomato Exports

Exports in MERCOSUR

Tomato exports dropped markedly to X tons in 2021, with a decrease of -31.1% against 2020 figures. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate buoyant growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when exports increased by 131%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons, and then fell significantly in the following year.

In value terms, tomato exports reduced remarkably to $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, recorded resilient growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 74%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Argentina (X tons) represented the key exporter of tomatoes, committing 76% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Brazil (X tons) and Peru (X tons), together generating an 18% share of total exports. Colombia (X tons) held a little share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to tomato exports from Argentina stood at +7.4%. At the same time, Brazil (+49.3%), Peru (+26.8%) and Colombia (+18.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Brazil emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in MERCOSUR, with a CAGR of +49.3% from 2012-2021. Brazil (+9.4 p.p.), Peru (+5.9 p.p.) and Colombia (+2.4 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Argentina saw its share reduced by -6.4% from 2012 to 2021, respectively.

In value terms, Argentina ($X), Brazil ($X) and Peru ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, together accounting for 74% of total exports.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Brazil, with a CAGR of +54.5%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in MERCOSUR stood at $X per ton in 2021, growing by 21% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, continues to indicate a perceptible setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 an increase of 37% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2020 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Colombia ($X per ton), while Argentina ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Brazil (+3.5%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Tomato Imports

Imports in MERCOSUR

In 2021, the amount of tomatoes imported in MERCOSUR declined sharply to X tons, shrinking by -47% compared with the year before. In general, imports, however, showed a prominent increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 151%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons, and then reduced rapidly in the following year.

In value terms, tomato imports declined notably to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a resilient increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 74% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Paraguay was the largest importer of tomatoes in MERCOSUR, with the volume of imports finishing at X tons, which was approx. 81% of total imports in 2021. Chile (X tons) took a 12% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Argentina (4.5%).

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to tomato imports into Paraguay stood at +13.1%. At the same time, Chile (+34.4%) and Argentina (+3.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Chile emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in MERCOSUR, with a CAGR of +34.4% from 2012-2021. While the share of Chile (+10 p.p.) and Paraguay (+3.6 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of Argentina (-5 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Paraguay ($X), Chile ($X) and Argentina ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, with a combined 91% share of total imports.

Among the main importing countries, Chile, with a CAGR of +36.7%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, 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 MERCOSUR stood at $X per ton in 2021, with an increase of 14% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, showed a pronounced reduction. Over the period under review, import prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Argentina ($X per ton), while Paraguay ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Argentina (+4.4%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform