The tomato contact group, which is made up of government and sectoral representatives of the group's member countries (France, Italy, Portugal, and Spain), will meet next week in Piré-Chancé near Rennes, France, to assess the 2022/2023 winter campaign and analyze the prospects of the summer campaign.
On Friday, May 5, the tomato contact group will also analyze external competition in EU markets.
Community tomato imports from third countries have skyrocketed by 80% in the last decade, going from 441,196 tons in 2013 to 793,537 tons in 2022, according to data from the Customs and Excise Department, processed by FEPEX.
In recent years, Morocco has strengthened itself as the main non-EU supplier, accounting for 70% of tomato imports from third countries. Between 2013 and 2022, Moroccan tomato exports to the EU increased continuously, going from 365,695 tons to 557,225 tons and achieving a 52% growth.
FEPEX has participated in the tomato contact group's meetings since its creation in 1997 within the framework of the Joint Committee on Fruits and Vegetables set up by France and Spain. Representatives of the Federation and the integrated associations Coexphal and Proexport will participate in next Friday's meeting.
Source: fepex.es