Tomatoes are edible berries of the tomato plant, also called Solanum lycopersicum, and essential elements of gastronomy in many countries. Cooked or raw, in salads or dishes, often mixed with other ingredients, or in juice, tomatoes are used in countless culinary preparations.

 

This market research is divided into two segments:

• The fresh tomatoes market
• The processing tomatoes market

 

This market research includes packers and shippers operating exclusively in the fresh tomatoes segment, the largest companies in the industry, growers in California, processors, shipping firms and equipment suppliers.

 

California leads the U.S and the world production of processing tomatoes, the market leader, The Morning Star Company processes about a quarter of all tomatoes produced on Californian soil. The fruit yield of tomatoeswithin the state has increased by about 0.5 ton/acre a year over the past 30 years. This impressive yield increase can be explained by Improved management practice, the use of efficient fertilizers and the breeding of new varieties. The main counties for processing tomatoes are Fresno, San Joaquin, Yolo and Kings. Demand for processing tomatoes has soared to new heights as it is used in the industrial production of hundreds of sauces and culinary specialties, such as pizza, around the globe.

 

Fresh tomatoes are mainly consumed inside the U.S, only 7% of fresh tomatoes harvested in California are sent abroad. The fresh tomatoes market is relatively smaller than the processing tomatoes market and demand for processing tomatoes has outgrown its fresh counterpart over the past few years. 

 

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the tomato industry; the fresh tomatoes market was hit hard by the pandemic. Consumers turned away from Food service & drinking places toward retail food purchases and the overall demand for fresh vegetables decreased while farmers struggled with an inflexible supply chain partly made to serve restaurants, schools and other food service activities.

 

More recently, large retailers reported a significant increase in the e-commerce sales of tomatoes in 2020 and 2021. Fresh tomatoes were part of the top sellers in the produce category. Moreover, organic sales of tomatoes have experienced a steady growth in recent years. In 2019, more than 11,000 organic tomatoes acreage were harvested in California. Organic tomatoes production has been particularly dynamic in Fresno, Yolo and Sutter.