Tomato processors interest in China grows with economy
Jim Beecher, former president of the World Processing Tomato Council, said that a huge potential can be seen in the Chinese market despite oversupply and decreased demand.
The attention of international tomato processors has been caught by the change in dietary habits amongst the Chinese population.
On June 14th over 100 processors from around the world gathered in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, the main tomato planting and processing base of China, to tour tomato farms in the region.
The increase in tomato product consumption began in the early 1990s after McDonalds, KFC and other western companies commenced their operations in the country.
In China, the average annual consumption volume of tomato sauce is 0.6 kg per capita, far less than the 20 to 30 kg in European and American countries.
"If the Chinese population decides to start consuming more tomatoes, it could be very lucrative for everyone," said John Nestvogel from J.G. Boswell Tomato Co in the United States.
he predicts that the growing economy in China will help boost the appeal of processed tomato products. He says that, as people are working harder, convenience foods will take precedence.
There is still a challenge to overcome for processors - the popular appeal of fresh tomatoes in China.
"Tomatoes are very popular in Xinjiang food. We are used to tomatoes in soups and noodles. And a simple salad of sliced tomatoes with some granulated sugar is a great summer dish," said Tao Lian, a housewife from Urumqi.
"But I prefer fresh tomatoes to ketchup. I only use ketchup in winter," she said.
In 2011, the value of Chinese tomato products exports reached $1 billion, representing over 30 percent of the world's export market.
California in the US and the Mediterranean area in Europe are the other two big exporters.
Source: usa.chinadaily.com.cn
