Morocco's Remarkable Rise as UK's Second-Largest Tomato Supplier
In a notable shift within the United Kingdom's tomato import market, Morocco has firmly established itself as the second-largest tomato supplier, surpassing its long-standing competitor, Spain. This achievement marks the third consecutive year that the North African nation has outpaced its European counterpart, underscoring Morocco's growing competitiveness and the dynamic evolution of the European tomato trade.
According to a comprehensive report by Hortoinfo, a respected industry source, Morocco's tomato exports to the UK have seen a consistent increase, contrasting with the declining trend in Spain's shipments. A decade ago, in 2014, Spain held a significant lead, selling 195.73% more tomatoes to the UK than Morocco, totaling an impressive 83.95 million kilos. However, this margin has progressively diminished each year, indicating an impending shift in market dynamics.
The pivotal moment occurred in 2021 when Morocco surpassed Spain as the UK's primary tomato supplier, selling an astonishing 67.42% more tomatoes, amounting to a substantial 44.6 million kilos. This trend persisted in 2023, with Morocco's tomato sales to the UK exceeding Spain's by an impressive 84.92%, equating to 57.69 million kilos.
While the Netherlands remains the top tomato supplier to the UK, exporting 129.42 million kilos in 2023 valued at 239.8 million euros, Morocco's rise to the second position is noteworthy. In 2023 alone, Morocco sold a remarkable 125.62 million kilos of tomatoes to British importers, constituting 34.08% of total imports and generating 183.36 million euros. Compared to 2014, when Morocco's tomato sales to the UK stood at a mere 42.89 million kilos, the country has experienced a meteoric 192.90% increase in exports to the British market.
Spain, once the undisputed second-largest supplier, now occupies the third position. In 2023, Spain sold 67.93 million kilos of tomatoes to the UK, accounting for 18.43% of total imports and generating 166.92 million euros. However, Spain's tomato sales to the UK have declined significantly by 46.44% compared to 2014, when it sold 126.84 million kilos.
The UK's total tomato imports decreased by 10.79% between 2014 and 2023, dropping from 413.16 million kilos valued at 513.08 million euros in 2014 to 368.56 million kilos valued at 687 million euros in 2023. Nonetheless, the average price per kilo has risen from 1.24 euros in 2014 to 1.86 euros in 2023, reflecting evolving market dynamics.
These findings corroborate the recent ICEX-Eurostat report, which highlights Morocco's growing prominence in the EU tomato market, with the country's market share increasing by an impressive 18.86% over the past five years, while Spain's share decreased by a substantial 25.2%.
Morocco's remarkable rise as the UK's second-largest tomato supplier underscores the nation's steadfast commitment to agricultural excellence and its adeptness in adapting to the ever-changing global market landscape. As the European tomato trade continues to evolve, Morocco's strategic positioning and competitiveness position it as a significant player, poised to further strengthen its position in the years ahead.