Exports of Italian canned tomatoes in 2015 have seen a record 20% growth in sales value in the US, the biggest non-EU destination for these Italian products.
According to data from farmers' association Coldiretti, Italian processed tomato sales worldwide grew by 6% in the first eight months of 2015 compared to the previous year.
This result, said Coldiretti president Roberto Moncalvo, is “due to the impetus of the economic recovery, the favourable exchange rate and the propulsive effect of the 2015 Milan Expo”.
He pointed out that the Italian tomato responds to the new international trends in consumption which “recognise the identity of Italian products and the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet of which it is a key component”.
Moncalvo also stressed the need to extend to all derivatives, from concentrate to sauces, of the obligation to indicate the origin of the tomato, already in force in Italy for sieved tomatoes.
This requirement is in response to the 567% rise in the first eight months of imports of tomato paste from China, which has become the biggest supplier.
According to Coldiretti, processed tomatoes are among the leaders of the Italian food and agriculture industry, given that around 60% of the derivatives go to international markets.
Total production in 2015 in Italy was estimated at 5.2 million tonnes of fresh tomatoes (+7% y/y), generating a turnover of €3 billion.
© 2015 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Branislav Pekic. To subscribe to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine, click here.
