Unfortunately there are still NO agreements between tomato processors and producers in Italy.
2022 was a particularly disappointing year for the production and processing tomatoes in Italy:
▪ Quantity of tomatoes processed approx. 5.5m MT, -10% vs 2021.
▪ Production in the Central Southern basin 2.6m MT, -12% vs 2021.
▪ Production in the Northern basin 2.9m MT, -6.3% vs 2021.
▪ Cultivated hectares -8.5% vs 2021.
• The crop was good despite the drought in the North and the high temperatures in the initial phase of the harvest. But, from an industrial perspective the quality was poor and larger quantities of raw material were needed to maintain quality standards.
• 2023 negotiations on prices are proceeding slowly, as no agreement is found between the parties. Producers are demanding to recognise increases in production costs, whilst processors are trying to limit the price increases as they battle input cost increases. The proposed price in the North is approx. €126/tonne vs €108/tonne in 2022, but considering that prices in Spain have already been agreed at €140/tonne and traditionally Italian prices are at least €10 higher, we would expect Italian prices to reach €150/tonne.
• Southern Growers are asking to go beyond last year’s prices which were €140/tonne for round tomatoes and €145/tonne for long tomatoes, citing the increase in the costs of seedlings, plant protection products, base fertilisers and technical equipment. In the absence of agreements, many farms are likely to decide not to proceed with transplanting seedlings.
For more information, you can download the tomato bulletin here: