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In 2024, tomatoes became Azerbaijan's top greenhouse export, with 145,603 metric tons (mt) shipped internationally, earning USD 175.43 million. This represents a 3.6% year-on-year (YoY) increase in export volume and an 8.3% YoY rise in export value compared to 140,588 mt exported in 2023, generating USD 161.96 million.
A surge in tomato arrivals in India's Trichy wholesale market, driven by increased production, has caused prices to plummet to USD 0.12 per kilogram (kg) in W1 2025, from USD 0.52/kg from W52 2024. Typically receiving five truckloads of tomatoes daily, the market has seen arrivals nearly double over the past two days. Supply sources include Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Pollachi, Udumalaipettai, Manapparai, and Vaiyampatti. Cultivating tomatoes on approximately 800 acres, farmers in Manapparai face significant losses due to the price crash despite high yields. The Manapparai Taluk Farmers' Association president highlighted the high cultivation costs of around USD 582.21 per acre, urging the government to implement price stabilization measures to mitigate farmer losses.
The National Tomato Growers, Processors, and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NATPAN) has urged the federal government to address the significant post-harvest losses tomato farmers face. NATPAN's chairman emphasized that most farmers, being smallholders, lack the financial capacity to purchase equipment to mitigate these losses. A key recommendation is the adoption of plastic crates for transporting tomatoes, which could substantially reduce post-harvest losses during transit from farms in the north to markets across the country. The association is also pursuing partnerships to support smallholder farmers through mechanization, aiming to enhance efficiency and minimize waste in tomato production and distribution.
According to the National Statistical Committee, Turkmenistan's tomato exports to Kyrgyzstan saw significant growth, with 15,200 mt valued at USD 8.9 million from Jan-24 to Oct-24, reflecting a 23% YoY increase. Kyrgyzstan also imports tomatoes from Uzbekistan, China, Iran, Kazakhstan, and Türkiye. Agricultural cooperation between Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan extends beyond trade, involving expertise exchange, advanced techniques, and technology sharing to enhance productivity and foster trade development.
In W1, Mexico's tomato prices decreased 5.21% week-on-week (WoW) and 23.31% YoY, reaching USD 2.73/kg. This decrease is primarily attributed to increased domestic supply as favorable weather conditions in key production regions like Sinaloa and Baja California have supported higher yields. Moreover, lower export demand, particularly from the United States (US) due to seasonal adjustments and adequate domestic supplies, has reduced price pressures. The ongoing recovery of production levels following previous supply chain disruptions has further stabilized market availability, driving prices YoY lower.
In W1, Morocco’s tomato prices increased sharply, rising 13.33% WoW and 54.55% month-on-month (MoM) to USD 0.17/kg. This surge was due to a significant reduction in supply caused by cold weather in key production regions such as Souss-Massa and Agadir, where temperatures dropped below seasonal averages in mid-Dec-24. These colder conditions disrupted tomato ripening and delayed harvesting schedules, leading to shortages in local markets and export opportunities. Moreover, strong export demand from European Union (EU) countries like France and Spain, which rely heavily on Moroccan tomato imports during the winter to compensate for their seasonal production deficits, exacerbated the supply constraints. Rising transportation costs and logistical challenges due to holiday-season congestion further impeded the efficient distribution of tomatoes, amplifying price pressures in Morocco’s domestic market.
In W1, Türkiye’s tomato prices increased by 0.79% WoW and 19.81% YoY, reaching USD 1.27/kg from USD 1.26/kg. This incremental rise is mainly due to a slight reduction in domestic supply caused by cold weather that affected greenhouse production. In Antalya, the country’s primary greenhouse production hub, crop yields have significantly decreased due to cold weather, heavy rainfall, floods, and storms. Moreover, increased export demand from neighboring countries and the Middle East has exerted upward pressure on prices. Rising transportation costs and logistical challenges further contribute to the price increase, as these factors drive up the overall distribution cost.
In India and Morocco, post-harvest losses remain a significant challenge, affecting overall profitability. To address this, both countries should invest in modern cold storage facilities equipped with controlled atmosphere (CA) storage technology to prolong the shelf life of tomatoes. Additionally, adopting packaging innovations like plastic crates and ventilated boxes can significantly reduce damage during transit and handling, ensuring a higher percentage of market-ready produce. In Morocco, where transportation costs and logistical challenges exacerbate price volatility, collaborating with regional transport cooperatives to optimize supply chain logistics will help lower distribution costs and improve market access.
In Azerbaijan and Morocco, it is essential to adopt climate-resilient agricultural practices. Farmers in these regions should integrate disease-resistant tomato varieties like Roma VF, Beefsteak, and Carmello, which can withstand fluctuating temperatures and reduce vulnerability to diseases such as early blight and Fusarium wilt. Moreover, smart irrigation systems like drip irrigation and moisture sensors can optimize water use and ensure stable yields during drought or excessive rainfall. By combining these with mulching techniques to conserve soil moisture, farmers can improve productivity and mitigate the impact of erratic weather patterns.
In Azerbaijan and Morocco, improving farmer education programs can play a vital role in increasing overall productivity and profitability. These programs should focus on best cultivation practices, integrated pest management (IPM) techniques, and sustainable soil health management. By providing farmers access to training workshops and online resources, they can learn how to implement crop rotation strategies, soil fertility management practices, and timely pest control. In addition, farmer field schools (FFS) can serve as valuable platforms where growers can exchange knowledge, collaborate on problem-solving, and adopt scientifically proven agricultural techniques that enhance yields while reducing the reliance on chemical inputs. This capacity-building approach will empower farmers to make informed decisions, leading to more sustainable production practices and long-term profitability.
Sources: Tridge, Blue Print, Horti Daily, Milliyet, 24 kg, The New India Express,
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