Amesterdam - Tomato production in Turkey is expected to reach 9.5 million metric tons (MT) of both table and industrial output, down 100,000 MT from last year and down 300,000 MT from 2003.
Turkey is continuing to face increasing competition of China and Iran in these and other export markets. While China is competitive in the Far Eastern market, Iran competes with Turkish paste exports in the Middle East and Central Asia.
"Farmers, who were offered the same price for industrial tomatoes during the last two years despite the 10% annual inflation and increased cost of fuel and fertilizer, switched to crops with better returns such as corn and wheat and planted fewer industrial tomatoes," explained the U.S. agricultural attach for the country.
This year's tomatoes are currently at the planting stage and recent rains reportedly benefited the crop. Tomatoes are grown throughout Turkey, but the bulk of production is concentrated in the Marmara and Aegean regions where climatic conditions are nearly ideal. Recent trends in tomato production include increased greenhouse production in southern Turkey for fresh consumption in urban areas and export markets during the winter.
Tomatoes produced for processing comprise about 25% of Turkey's total production, while the remainder is destined for fresh consumption. Processing tomatoes are grown mainly in the townships of Balikesir and Canakkale in the Marmara region, Bergama and Turgutlu of the Aegean region and in newly emerging areas of Tokat of Central Anatolia, where the processing industry is located.
Wide varieties of fresh and industrial tomatoes are grown in Turkey. There are about four hundred fresh tomato seed varieties and sixty industrial seed varieties that were approved by the Ministry of Agriculture. Sabrina, Dalmone, Gigante and Fantastic 144 are some of the leading fresh varieties and New Crimson, Delicious Red, Bonanza and Rio Grande are among the leading industrial varieties.
About 75% of the Turkey's total tomato production is consumed fresh and the remainder is processed. Of the 25% of the crop that is processed, about 85% is used to produce tomato paste, 10% is utilized for canned tomatoes, and the remainder is used for catsup, tomato juice, dried tomatoes and other products.
Nominal tomato paste production capacity is estimated at about 500,000 MT, assuming three shifts and a 60-day harvest. However, hot summer weather often shortens the harvest, reducing actual capacity to about 375,000 MT.
There are about 45 firms in the industry, with seven or eight large firms (average annual tomato paste production of 15,000-20,000 MT) accounting for about 70% of total tomato paste production. Most large firms can process 2,000-3,000 MT of tomatoes daily. The industry products yield (tomatoes to paste) is estimated at about 6 kilograms of tomatoes for 1.0 kilogram of paste.
Commercial tomato paste production for 2005 is projected to be 260,000 MT, about 4% less than last year. An over-valued Turkish Lira, competition from other producing nations and low world prices has forced processors to adopt a cautious approach and cut production. In addition to commercial production, about 5,000 MT of tomato paste is produced at home.
Turkey also produces processed tomatoes of which 95% are diced tomatoes and the rest are whole, peeled tomatoes. 2005 canned tomato production is expected to continue to increase and reach 35,000 MT (net weight basis) due to increased export demand.
Turkish fresh tomato exports in 2003 were 263,000 MT and 2004 exports are expected to be about the same. Russia and Saudi Arabia are the leading markets for Turkish fresh tomato exports - combined exports constitute about 70% of the annual total exports.
Last year's tomato paste exports are now estimated to be about 165,000 MT compared to 185,000 MT in 2003. A stronger Turkish Lira and competition of other tomato paste producing countries were the main reasons the decline. Exports during the first seven months of the 2004 were 118,000 MT and Iraq emerged to the leading importer.
The tomato paste industry is very dependent on exports. Russia, Saudi Arabia and Japan continue to be the leading export markets for Turkish tomato paste producers. Other traditional markets such as Iraq and Algeria are becoming important customers again while their economies and political situations stabilize.
The EU is not permitting Turkey to utilize its 30,000 MT tariff rate quota since 1997 due to a dispute over EU meat exports to Turkey. Out-of-quota exports are subject to 14.4% duty.
Turkey also exports the majority of its annual 35,000 MT of diced tomato production. The EU continues to be the leading export market. The E.U. allows Turkey to utilize 8,400 MT of its tariff rate quota of diced tomatoes but exports above the quota are subject to 14.4% import tax.
© Tehran Times 2005
