Tomatoes are not only the most eaten vegetable in Germany, they're also heavily courted. Among all the vegetable varieties, retailers choose tomatoes most often for special sales and in their advertisements, according to the Landvolk-Pressedienst. Furthermore, according to research of the AMI, the variety of tomatoes in the markets has risen in recent years. One retailer may advertise a special sale for more than one kind of tomato per week.
Almost 2,500 sales for traditionally cultivated tomatoes have been counted by the market observers in 2016. About 50 different sales per week. The amount of German tomatoes in advertisements has risen also. The tomato is among the most high-revenue sections in fruit and vegetable departments of supermarkets in most of Europe.
Although more expensive, small tomato varieties are the most popular. Cocktail or cherry tomatoes are imported from Central Europe more and more often. By using additional illumination and heaters it is possible to uphold ideal production conditions and supply the same quality all year round. The tomato is not only the top vegetable for eating but also for cultivating under glass. in 2016, 337ha were cultivated under glass, with a perimeter of 1,220ha. Tomatoes are followed by lamb's lettuce, cucumpers, bell peppers, lettuce and radishes. In the ranking of sales, the tomato was on first place as well, followed by carrots, onions and cucumbers.
Source: LPD