European Tomato Prices Hit Five-Year High Ahead of Morocco’s New Season
The European tomato market saw high prices this summer as Morocco’s new season approaches. In August, the average price reached 1.55 euros per kilo, its highest level in five years. In Souss-Massa, however, producers say the season will get off to a delayed start.
The figures come from the European Commission’s dashboard, analyzed on October 1 by FreshPlaza. They describe an August marked by prices above those of the previous year and, in many cases, above the five-year average.
On Bladi.net : Made in Morocco" Floods Europe: How Moroccan Tomatoes Are Catching Up to Spain
In the Netherlands, vine tomatoes averaged 1.17 euros per kilo, also a five-year high. European producers went through a difficult summer, with extreme weather events and crop problems. Their costs also rose, absorbing part of the increase in selling prices.
This market is a major outlet for Moroccan producers as winter approaches. In its work on the sector, the European Commission describes the seasonal handover between sources of supply: in France, Spain and Morocco are the main suppliers from November to April, while Belgium and the Netherlands play a larger role from April to November.
Morocco’s new season is therefore starting after a summer of high prices. Its timing, however, depends on conditions in Souss-Massa, where much of the production destined for export is concentrated.
A delayed start in Souss-Massa
Amine Amanatoullah, secretary-general of the Interprofessional Federation for the Production and Export of Fruit and Vegetables, expects the season to start ten to fifteen days later than the usual start in early October. Speaking to FreshPlaza on September 25, he cited irrigation difficulties and damage caused by hot winds to young plants.
According to him, the area devoted to round tomatoes has fallen by a further 10 to 15% this season. Sizing problems with the first trusses and lower yields are also complicating the start of the new cycle.
These agricultural difficulties come as prices in Europe vary sharply by product. In Spain, vine tomatoes sold in August for 23% less than a year earlier, despite the increase in the European average.
On Bladi.net : Moroccan exporters want to sell directly in Europe without going through Spain and the Netherlands
Spanish round tomatoes were also slightly below their five-year average. In Italy, cherry tomatoes and specialty varieties were down 6% compared with that benchmark. Prices at the start of Morocco’s season will therefore depend on the target market and the varieties on offer.
