Different figures Moroccan tomato share

Juan Carlos Pérez Mesa, Lecturer of Agricultural Economics at the University of Almeria mentioned that Moroccan tomatoes reached a market share exceeding 70%. However Saint Charles International commented on that and also on other figures in the article. “Our figures show different results and as far as we know, Perpignan is the main entrance for Moroccan tomatoes into France,” mentions Anne Florin from Saint Charles International.

French tomato production is approximately 775,000 tons, but 215,000 tons are for the processing industry. Tomatoes are the most popular vegetable in France and French homes consume 850,000 tons a year.

The export of French tomatoes is 242,000 tons. Tomatoes that are imported from Morocco mainly by Saint Charles International and Spain, are respectively 312,959 tons and 139,835 tons.

“If we use the above figures, it comes to a market share of approximately 37% for Moroccan tomatoes, which is a lot, but far from 70%. But you should also consider that some of those tomatoes are reexported.”