According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the world production of tomatoes in 2022 was 186,207,961 tons. The top 10 producing countries in the world generate approximately 75% of the global tomato supply. In 2022, the global tomato crop occupied approximately 6,059,197 hectares. Tomatoes are the most produced vegetables in the world by weight.

[TABLE] 2022 Tomato Production by Country

Source: FAOSTAT, find the data we pulled here.

China is by far the largest producer of tomatoes globally, followed by India, Turkey, and the U.S. Though the Asia-Pacific region has been a significant contributor to growth in intensive tomato production, North America and Europe are also major producers and consumers of both fresh and processed tomato products. The world’s top consuming regions include North America, Europe, and Eurasia.

Mexico is the world’s leading exporter of tomatoes, accounting for nearly 26% of global exports, most of which flows into the U.S. The Netherlands, Spain, and Morocco are also top exporters. In terms of imports, North America and Europe represent the largest import regions, with the U.S., Germany, the U.K., and France importing the most tomatoes, mostly from regional neighbors.

Globally, tomato production has been on the rise in recent decades, responding to increasing demand for fresh tomatoes as part of a healthier, more plant-based diet, particularly as an ingredient in salads, sandwiches, and a diversity of global cuisines. Plus, tomato productivity (yield per acre/hectare) has risen dramatically over recent decades.

Demand is also on the rise for processed tomato products, especially given that tomatoes are a reliable ingredient that adds umami flavor to dishes and prepared foods. Processed applications including tomato sauce, ketchup, tomato paste, canned tomatoes, and tomato juice consume as much as 80% of all commercially grown tomatoes.

Tomato production in the U.S. has fallen since 2000, mainly due to increasing competition from abroad (primarily Mexico). In the U.S., domestic production meets only about 40% of the total fresh-market demand.

[FIGURE] Tomato Production in the U.S. and Mexico, 2000-2020

Though this trend, on average, holds across the U.S. tomato market, the production of processing tomatoes has been more steady. In 2000, there were about 10.9 million tons of processing tomatoes grown in the U.S. In 2019, that figure rose to 11.9 million tons, down from a high in 2015 of 14.7 million tons. Since 2020, the processing tomato market has been particularly strong in the U.S., thanks to pandemic-related shifts in consumer trends and production limitations.

According to the USDA National Ag Statistic Service, in 2023 tomatoes were among the top three vegetables grown in the U.S. both in terms of area harvested, total production, and total value. 301,800 acres of tomatoes were harvested in 2023, yielding a total of 271.7 million hundred weight (cwt) across the country, with an average yield per acre of 903.6 cwt/ac. The average price per cwt in 2023 was $10.20, a nearly $2 increase over 2022 and nearly $4 over 2021. The total value of the U.S. tomato crop in 2023 totaled $2.758 billion USD.

[FIGURE] U.S. tomato production, three states, 2000–2015

California leads the U.S. in terms of tomato production for both fresh and processing tomatoes, accounting for more than 85% of total U.S. production. Florida is the second highest producing state, and is most known for fresh market production. Florida accounts for about 10% of U.S. production. Fresh market tomato production exists in almost all states, though that production is not closely tracked by the USDA. Other top producing states include Georgia, North and South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, New Jersey, Ohio, and Michigan.

The value of California’s tomato production in 2023 totaled about $2.2 billion, as compared to Florida’s $493 million. Within California, Fresno, Yolo, Kings, Merced, and San Joaquin county are the most significant tomato production counties.

Organic tomato production is on the rise in the U.S., with California leading the way. Organic tomatoes tend to be priced as much as 60% higher than conventional varieties in the U.S. The number of organic tomato acres harvested in the U.S. remains around 12,000 acres.

According to the most recent USDA Census of Agriculture (2022), there are about 25,997 field tomato farms in the U.S. larger than 1 acre, though around 500 account for most of the nation’s production. About three times as many acres of processing tomatoes were planted in the U.S. than fresh market tomatoes in 2022. Though 92% of all tomato farms plant fresh market tomatoes, 77% of all tomato acres are processing tomatoes. This is due to the fact that processing tomato farms tend to be much larger and more mechanized than the average fresh market tomato farm.

Though production of fresh market tomatoes is on the decline in the U.S., consumption is not. Tomatoes are the most widely consumed produce commodity after onions, with the average consumption per capita of about 20 pounds of fresh tomatoes and nearly 80 pounds of processed tomatoes annually. The gap between falling production and stable demand is largely being filled by imports from Canada and Mexico.

There has also been an increase in greenhouse production in the U.S. As of 2019, most states played host to some amount of greenhouse tomato production, according to the USDA.

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Tomato Types

Though all tomatoes fall into the Solanaceae family (along with potatoes, eggplants, and peppers), there are many distinct cultivars that are commonly grown in the U.S. and around the world. Though there are approximately 7,500 varieties of tomatoes grown, a few groups are most frequently highlighted in commercial contexts.

A common cultivar distinction for fresh market tomatoes is between determinate and indeterminate varieties. Many commercial varieties are a determinate, bush-type that flower, then fruit, and stop growing at certain height. Indeterminate types produce flowers and fruit continuously until the first frost (or other killing event), making them less predictable for commercial fresh market field growers. However, indeterminate varieties are often a good fit for greenhouse growers.

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Top Tomato Types in the US

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Slicing or Globe

There are many varieties that fall into this category, characteristics of which are round tomatoes used in processing or for fresh consumption. These tomatoes can vary in size and application, from very large fruits that are destined for processing to thicker skinned globes that are commonly used sliced in food service applications.

Specific varieties of slicing or globe tomatoes are selected for their market applications, and are commonly hybrids and regionally specific. They tend to be bred for disease resistance, firm flesh, and storage potential. Some commercial varieties include; Amelia, Biltmore, Carolina Gold, Sebring, Mountain Spring, and Solimar.

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Roma, Plum, and other Saladettes

Romas are a flavorful variety with an elongated shape and a deep red coloration. They’re most commonly known as an ingredient in tomato pastes or sauces due to their low water content and chewy flesh. The Italian-type, San Marzano, is the most well-known. Commercial varieties include Hybrid 882, Yaqui, Monica, La Roma II, Midnight Roma, and Inca Jewels. Romas are grown for both fresh market and processing applications.

Plums are bred for higher solids for use in tomato sauce and paste. Varieties include Plum Crimson, Plum Daddy, and Puebla.

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Beefsteak

These large tomatoes are often used for sandwiches in food service. They can be hybrids, and tend to be some of the largest tomato varieties. They also tend to have smaller seed cavities than other types, which results in a larger ratio of flesh to seeds and juice. There are many kinds of beefsteaks, and they can also come in a variety of colors, though red is still most common among commercial varieties.

Some common varieties include Big Beef, Buffalo Steak, Bush Champion II, SteakHouse, Old German, and Cherokee Purple (technically an heirloom variety).

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Cherry and Grape

Small, round and often quite sweet, cherry tomatoes are usually used for applications in salads. These varieties often tend to have a higher water content than other smaller varieties. Varieties include Cherry Grande and Mountain Belle.

Grape tomatoes are technically a smaller variation of a plum variety, and are commonly used in salads. They have a lower water content and thicker skin than cherries, helping them have a longer shelf life. Grape tomatoes can also be orange or yellow, in addition to red. Commercial varieties include Jelly Beans, Chocolate Sprinkle, Valentine, and San Vicente.

Cherry, grape, and other mini tomato varieties are most commonly used for fresh market applications, and are rarely grown for processing.

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Heirloom

A small portion of commercial acreage is dedicated to heirloom varieties, which are becoming more common and desirable with U.S. consumers.

Some varieties include Black Krim, Mr. Stripey, Brandywine, and Cherokee Purple.

According to Straits Research, the global tomato market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.65% through 2032, from a 2023 value of $195.24 billion USD to $249.06 billion. Demand for tomatoes around the world is expected to remain steady due to health-conscious consumer trends. The fact that processed tomatoes are used in such a wide range of applications, from fresh consumption to food service to processed foods including juice, ketchup, paste, pulp, sauces, salsas, gravies, curries, powders and purees, indicates the demand for a vast supply and wide variety of tomatoes is unlikely to decline. The largest and fastest growing market region is Asia.

The total value of the U.S. tomato crop in 2023 totaled $2.758 billion USD. U.S. production is expected to continue to decline due mainly to competition from abroad and high cost of labor.

The true addressable market for tomato management technologies will be approximately equal to the cost of labor and other inputs needed to manage and harvest tomatoes. So, to determine the value of a specific technology to the sector, it’s necessary to understand the costs associated with different types of tomato production.

Successful processing tomato growers oversee a complex production system that requires careful and continuous management over a variety of plant life-stages. Field-grown tomatoes are highly sensitive to weather extremes, changes in soil, pests, and other factors throughout the season, and to handling during and after harvest. Therefore, cultivating tomatoes requires significant planning, labor, and financial outlay.

Successful fresh market tomato growers oversee a complex production system that requires careful and continuous management over a variety of plant life stages. Both field-grown and greenhouse-grown tomatoes are highly sensitive to weather extremes, changes in soil, pests, and other factors throughout the season, and to handling during and after harvest.

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Training and Pruning

• Because tomato plants tend to be “bushy” and create vines, most fresh market production systems require infrastructure to keep plants off the ground, where fruit is more likely to be damaged and/or exposed to disease and pests.
• The Florida String Weave System is common in the Southeastern U.S. This system uses wooden stakes that are machine-driven between plants, with twine woven between the stakes to support tomato stems. Ensuring that these systems are put in place carefully and during optimal conditions can avoid damage and the spread of disease.

[FIGURE] Staking/Stringing Diagram

• An alternative is a simple stake system, where a stake is inserted for each plant in the weeks after transplantation and then plant is tied individually to the stake using twine.
• Overhead wire trellises or cage systems are also sometimes used. Trellises are more common for indeterminate varieties, whereas stake and weave systems are more common for determinate varieties.
• Pruning is often not practiced due to high associated labor costs, but would be done at the same time as staking. Pruning is more important for indeterminate varieties, due to the fact that the growth of suckers for these varieties continues throughout the season. Pruning must be done by hand and involves the removal of suckers from the bottom of the plants and from between the main vine and branches.

Tomatoes are among some of the most susceptible plants to pests and diseases that can cripple plant health, damage fruit, and lead to reduced quality and yield. The list of insects, weeds, diseases, fungi, and vertebrates that might be a threat to a given tomato field or greenhouse is long and will vary substantially based on geography and season. There is significant demand for additional tools to manage pressures on these vulnerable plants.

When exploring solutions for growers, care should be taken to avoid increasing opportunity for pests and disease to proliferate throughout the farm, for example, by being transported on equipment. There are several major points throughout the season when growers need to be particularly vigilant about specific pests, and during which only certain kinds of pest control measures are useful, effective, or allowable. Find more information on recommended Integrated Pest Management (IPM) regimes for tomatoes here.

Climate change and weather are having and will continue to have an impact on tomato production both domestically and globally, though the exact nature of these impacts in any specific region are difficult to accurately predict. In general, tomatoes are a warm season crop, and soil water content and air temperature can have significant impacts on the quality and quantity of the annual crop. Significant regional shifts in temperatures and irrigation water availability are likely to have major impacts on the future of the tomato industry around the world.

[FIGURE] Change in area suitability for tomato cultivation between 1975H and 2050

1. Shifting Temperatures. Tomatoes are very temperature sensitive. Seeds need to be between 65 and 85 degrees to germinate, and fruit production requires temperatures in a relatively narrow band between 60 and 70 degrees. Warmer year-round temperatures, and higher peak temperatures even for a short period of time, can induce heat stress and cause tomatoes to drop blossoms, wilt, and increase the likelihood of disease and physiological disruptions, leading to reduced yield and quality. Cold temperatures, even for a short time, can also reduce plant health. Continuously rising average and peak temperatures in key tomato production regions like Florida are already reducing the viable length of the growing season. All these impacts will likely cause tomato production to shift away from the poles, and will create even more incentive to turn to greenhouse production. As temperature patterns evolve, growers will need to adjust their management practices, including irrigation schedules and variety selection. Growers in today’s major growing regions (i.e. California and Florida in the U.S.) should prepare for greater competition from new geographies going forward. Changes in temperature, water stress, and even CO2 levels can also affect plant physiology and mineral uptake, likely creating additional challenges for growers in the future.
2. Shifting Growing Regions. As temperatures continue to vary and growers consider moving production to more temperate climates, a significant limitation will be the need for nearby packing and processing infrastructure both for processing and fresh market tomatoes. Infrastructure to receive, sort/grade, package and/or process tomatoes is often extensive and requires significant financial outlay to establish. Existing growing regions like the Central Valley in California and Central Florida already have tomato processing infrastructure. Shifting that capital to other geographies will come at a substantial cost. Beyond infrastructure investments, growing in new regions will also likely require new advancements in tomato genetics, varieties, practices, and crop protection tools as these vulnerable plants are exposed at scale to new geographies. Though greenhouses will help allow more tomato production in a wide spectrum of geographies, shifting temperature regimes will likely make greenhouse use cost prohibitive in some areas due to the cost of cooling and/or heating.
3. Water Scarcity. Changes in precipitation patterns triggered by climate change will likely put pressure on some current tomato growing regions, due to changing demand for, cost of, and overall access to irrigation water. While some regions are likely to experience more frequent and severe droughts, others are likely to deal with flooding and extreme wetness, both of which pose significant risks to tomato production. Tomatoes need soils to be kept consistently moist throughout the growing season to maintain optimal plant health, but water-logged soils can also cause increased disease incidence and physiological damage. Related irrigation issues related to soil degradation, including increased erosion, soil salinity, and nutrient leaching will also likely be an increasing issue in areas where more irrigation is required due to decreased rainfall. Improved water management practices, such as water conservation measures, are likely to remain top of mind for growers alongside demand for more financial risk mitigation tools like specialized insurance policies.
4. Pest and Disease Pressures Intensify. Given the extreme sensitivity of many tomato varieties to pests and disease, any substantial change in these pressures is likely to cause major disruptions to production. Climate change is likely to change both the geographic range, season, and intensity of pest and disease pressures. Likely changes in temperature and humidity levels will not only lead to more substantial populations, but may also alter the time of year when they emerge or die-off. This can in turn affect the tools available to growers to control them. Tomato leafminer and late blight are two examples of pests that are likely to become more problematic in the future. Growers will need to adapt their pest management strategies and be vigilant for emerging threats.
5. Extreme Weather. From heatwaves to floods to high winds, increasing instances of extreme weather are likely to have an impact on tomato production. Extreme weather affects fields in many ways, from damaging plants to altering patterns of pest predation. In general, however, extreme weather increases risk to the yield and quality of the crop. Though it’s impossible to prevent impacts from all extreme weather, growers will likely be increasingly interested in tools that allow them to mitigate risks related to these events.