ALGERIA

The current estimate is for about a total of 2.5 to 2.7 million tonnes of tomatoes to be grown with 50 to 60% of the total volume to be processed, thus a volume of approximatively 1.35 million tonnes.

EGYPT

The harvest is at the peak of the winter crop and processing is in full capacity, now the supply comes from the upper Egypt governorates. Quality looks good in terms of brix and colour. The forecast for2023 is 500,000 tonnes.

FRANCE

The current estimate is for about 150,000 tonnes to be processed in 2023 but more information will be available after a first meeting on 10 February.

GREECE

As alternative crops were not as profitable as expected in 2022, processors hope to be able to contract larger surfaces in 2023 to achieve a production of 420,000 tonnes. Current offers are for guaranteed price of 130 to 140 euros per tonne delivered. 

HUNGARY

The current expectations are for 100,000 tonnes. The price will be higher than in 2022. 

ITALY

The current estimate is for 5.7 million tonnes to be contracted. In the South, the reservoirs are full so everyone is optimistic there will be enough water while in the North more snow is still needed to guarantee there will be enough water for the season. Price negotiations have started but there are no agreements yet: the initial offer by processors 126 euros per tonne ex field was rejected by POs who requested 155 euros. 

PORTUGAL 

There was a lot of rain so water should not be an issue for this crop. Despite limited cost increases, growers want to benefit from the good market conditions are are asking for higher contract prices. There is no price agreement yet and the deadline for reporting contracts is being extended to mid-March probably (mid-February before). The current estimate is between 1.4 and 1.5 million tonnes. 

RUSSIA

The surface planted could be up to 8,000 hectares in the traditional tomato regions of Nalchik KBR, Astrakhan, Volgograd and 650,000 tonnes of tomatoes processed, a repeat of the previous result.  These plans could however be changed.

SPAIN

The water availability has improved in Extremadura although it remains lower than in previous years, probably at 80% of needs if it rains. In Andalusia however, the situation is worst than last year with even less water in the reservoirs than in 2022. It is therefore difficult to make a forecast now but if Andalusia remains down a production of about 2.6 million tonnes can be expected. Prices should be known by 14 February when contracts must be reported. Farmers are asking for a price increase (165 euros currently).

TUNISIA

Due to the very serious drought the Ministry of Agriculture has forbidden the planting of seasonal vegetable crop to favour arable crop on most irrigated land, except for some large private land in the North and Centre of the country. The current estimate of planting 12,000 hectares to process 600,000 tonnes seems highly optimistic. 

TURKEY 

As farmers in the south did not get the return they expected from cotton in 2022, they are more keen to plant tomatoes so the region should recover the volumes lost. Negotiations will start when the large processing companies have given their price offers.