Xinjiang tomato products were exported to more than 80 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa and Oceania in the first seven months of 2022. Italy has been the top importer, taking in about 20% of exports from the autonomous region from January to July, according to China customs data. Russia, which accounted for 16% of all exports, was followed by Ghana and the Philippines, which each bought about 6% of the total.
In the first seven months of the year over 96% of tomatoes exported were in large barrels of tomato paste, each typically weighing more than 5 kg.
According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, China is the world's top producer of tomatoes, accounting for 35% of global production in 2020. Due to various geographical factors, Xinjiang has become China's top producer. The region has ideal circumstances for tomato growing, and has a wide difference in day and night temperatures.
According to estimates, the region produces 80% of China's tomato crop. With the help of Italian traders, Xinjiang's tomato cultivation and processing industry began in 1978. Most of the production since then has been for export.
Source: english.newstracklive.com
