Target Grows for Tomato and Tomato Products Exports

Turkey's total tomato and tomato products exports reached USD 608 million in 2020, while tomato and tomato products exports from the Aegean region increased by 3% to USD 187 million. The fruit and vegetable sector aims to raise tomato product group exports to USD 650 million in 2021. Hayrettin Uçak, Chairman of the Aegean Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Association, recalled that fresh fruit, vegetable and processed fruit and vegetable exports, which totaled USD 4.414 billion in 2020, were among sectors that set annual records. "In 2020, our sector achieved an exceptionally successful trajectory despite all difficulties. As a serious player in the global fruit and vegetable market, our country ranks third in the world with annual tomato production of 12.8 million tons. Turkey holds a strong position in product diversity for tomatoes. Our tomato and tomato products exports nationwide, which provided the largest contribution to our export record with a wide product range, reached USD 608 million in 2020, while our Aegean exports achieved USD 187 million with a 3% increase. Our 2021 target for tomato and tomato products is to steadily continue our growth with our initiatives that expand the value-added chain, reaching USD 650 million in exports. In the first four months of 2021, we generated USD 253 million for our country from Turkey's overall tomato and tomato products exports, and USD 54 million from our Aegean exports."

Fresh tomato exports generated USD 313 million

Hayrettin Uçak announced that fresh tomato exports increased by 3% to USD 313 million in 2020, stating that Russia, which maintains a clear lead in fresh fruit and vegetable exports, ranks first in fresh tomato exports with USD 62 million. "Turkish tomato export reach spans a wide geography from Europe to Gulf countries. In the tomato product group, which we export to 51 countries, the largest item is fresh tomatoes, and we experienced export increases in all of our major markets. Romania recorded 38%, Ukraine 21%, Bulgaria 19%, Syria 140%, Belarus 60%, Poland 33%, and Germany 37% growth in our traditional markets. Among emerging markets are Oman, Albania, Dubai, and the United Kingdom. In the January-April period, Turkey's fresh tomato exports increased by 7% to reach USD 170 million."

Tomato paste exported to 115 countries

Uçak stated, "Tomato paste, the second largest item in our tomato and tomato products exports with a USD 157 million share, was exported to 115 countries. In 2020, tomato paste worth USD 94 million was sent primarily to Iraq. Our exports increased by 92% to Germany, which ranks among the top 5 destination countries, by 26% to Saudi Arabia, and by 11% to the United States. Among markets experiencing marginal increases are Netherlands with 192%, Malaysia with 295%, France with 189%, Israel with 74%, and Belgium with 225%. We also achieved significant increases in Oman, Italy, and Austria markets."

Aegean region is the hub for dried tomatoes

Highlighting that 95% of dried tomato exports come from the Aegean region, Hayrettin Uçak stated, "Our dried tomato exports reached USD 53 million in 2020. We export to 59 countries, primarily Italy with USD 15 million. We achieved 17% growth to Italy, 36% to Poland, and 41% to Greece in our main markets. Our oil-packed dried tomato exports reached USD 29 million last year. In oil-packed dried tomatoes, which we send to 90 countries, Germany ranks first with USD 5 million. In our exports, we experienced increases reaching the 60s percentage-wise to Netherlands, France, Denmark, Canada, and Australia, which are among our leading destinations. One of the astronomical increases was to Italy."

Tomato juice market share growing in Far East, Europe and the United States

Emphasizing that tomato juice, which comprises USD 2.5 million of tomato product group exports, is sent to 55 countries and showed the highest export increase at 57% in 2020, Uçak disclosed that Japan leads with USD 1.8 million, while Netherlands, Hong Kong, and the United States are also among emerging markets.

Frozen tomatoes generated USD 32 million, 138% increase to China in sauces and ketchup

Uçak noted that in the frozen tomato market, which reached USD 32 million in 2020, they exported to 27 countries, with the United Kingdom leading at USD 5 million while Belgium and Italy showed growth. In peeled tomatoes sent to 35 countries, the United Kingdom stands out, and from tomato sauces and ketchup exports to 114 countries, USD 19 million in revenue was generated. Iraq ranks first with 23% growth and USD 7 million, while Spain recorded 16% growth, the United Arab Emirates 41%, and China 138% growth.