Italy world’s top exporter of processed tomato

According to estimates published by Italy-based agricultural and food market service institute ISMEA, the Italian processed tomato industry closed 2016 with a turnover of €3.2 billion.

Italy is the world’s top exporter of tomato pulp and peeled tomatoes with a 77% share in value, while Spain lies a distant second with just 6%. Italy’s market share in the puree and concentrate segment stands at 26% compared to China’s 25%.

Retail sales grew by 1.7% in volume and 1.1% in value in the first few months of 2017. Italy remains the world’s second largest importer of purees and concentrates after Germany with a value of €154 million in 2016, 54.4% higher than five years previously.