The Ministry of Economy has stated that Mexico positioned itself as the world's leading tomato exporter in 2023 with record exports of 2.988 billion dollars. This achievement placed the country above the Netherlands and Spain, which ranked second and third in the export ranking. Most Mexican tomato exports went to the United States, accounting for 99.8% of the total, followed by Canada and Japan.
Mexico is expected to produce 3.30 million tons of tomatoes in 2024, 2% more than in 2023, driven by export demand. However, production in 2023 decreased by 8% over the previous year due to drought conditions that affected access to water.
Sinaloa leads the national tomato production, contributing 22% of the total. The five main producing states, which include San Luis Potosà and Michoacán, generate more than 51% of national production. Mexico has been the world's leading tomato exporter since 2016, when it displaced the Netherlands from this spot.
According to the World Trade Organization, global tomato exports reached 10.754 billion dollars in 2022, i.e. -2.1% over 2021. Mexico grows a wide range of tomatoes, such as the cherry, ball, and Saladette varieties, as well as gourmet tomatoes intended primarily for export to the United States. Mexican producers make significant efforts to extend the country's tomato production season taking advantage of different techniques, such as using cultivation substrates.
Source: eleconomista.com.mx