AMITOM crop update as of 29 March 2023

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Sophie
April 3, 2023

AMITOM crop update as of 29 March

Planting is now underway for the 2023 season.

Egypt

The winter crop is in its last loop which is supposed to last till 3rd week of April. The early summer crop will start around 10th of May. The overall forecast remains 500,000 tonnes with prices currently at abut 130 USD per tonne ex-field. Quality is good.

France

The volume of the contracts is 160,000 tonnes but the total surfaces are not yet confirmed. A few growers started planting last week in the South-East, but most will start next week unless the cold weather which is forecast is too severe. In the South-West planting will start mid-April. Water availability should not be an issue this year although winter rainfall was low, with some risk however for the late crop. Prices are still being negotiated by each company individually and should be in the order of 135-140 euros ex-field.

Greece

Conditions are generally good. There is not as much water as usual but there is no worry of scarcity for the summer. Weather is currently cold and wet, and planting should start on 1^st April in the south. Farmers are keen to plant tomatoes, so the forecast is raised to 440,000 tonnes. Prices will c. 150 euros per tonnes delivered.

Hungary

The 100.000 tonnes forecast remains for the country. Raw tomato price is ca. 135 euro per tons ex-field, but as it is agreed on HUF basis with the farmers, it can slightly change due to exchange rate changes.

Italy

In the south, the water availability in the reservoirs is good and more surfaces will be planted in Puglia compared to last year. Expectations are for an increase of 7 to 8% in surfaces and volumes in the south, from 2.59 million tonnes in 2022 to 2.80 million tonnes in 2023. Transplanting began this week in Caserta and will start next week in Puglia. No agreement on prices yet but they could increase by a significant percentage.

In the north, planting should start next week. There are concerns for the water availability for the end of the season especially in the north-west as the snowfall this winter was low although some storms last week eased up the drought in the north-east (Ferrara Ravenna provinces). The total surfaces should remain unchanged compared last year but there could be some reduction in the late crop. Negotiations have stalled with processors offering around 130 euros and growers wanting 155 euros.

There is no change to the overall forecast of 5.7 million tonnes.

Portugal

The forecast remains unchanged at 1.45 million tonnes. Weather is warm and dry and planting is starting.

Russia

The forecast remains unchanged at 650,000 tonnes.

Spain

There is no change to the forecast which remains 2.6 million tonnes. Planting started last week in Andalusia and this week in Extremadura. Water allocation is at 60% of normal, better than last year. The weather is currently good and quite dry. As published a few weeks ago, the price is 150 euros per tonne ex-field.

Tunisia

The forecasted plantation area is confirmed at around 10,000 hectares for a processed volume of around 500,000 tonnes. Operations started on 22 February and the progress of planting is 65%-70%. The water situation (as of 19 March 2023) is nearly 740 million m3 in 36 dams, which represents 32% of their filling capacity.

Turkey

The forecast is now raised to 2.6 million tonnes as farmers are keen to plant tomatoes and stocks of tomato products are depleted due to increased shipments. Surfaces will increase in all regions including Konya where production has been growing in recent years. The weather is currently a bit cool so planting has stopped but should restart next week.

Ukraine

It is expected that a volume of 500 000 to 600 000 tonnes of tomatoes will be processed in 2023.