Tomato Facts

Market Information

• British tomato production amounts to about 75,000 metric tonnes per year. This figure represents about a quarter of the total volume of tomatoes sold in the country through the year, and up to a half in the summer.

• We import over 300,000 tonnes of fresh tomatoes (as opposed to processed tomato products) each year.

• Total consumption of fresh tomatoes is around 420,000 tonnes. This means that with a population of 59 millions, we eat 5oz (140g) of fresh tomatoes per person per week or 16lbs (7.25kg) per person per year. This is the equivalent of two British classic tomatoes per week, or more than 100 per year. This is higher than previous estimates but still very low compared with other European countries, especially those in the Mediterranean region.

• About 150 hectares (370 acres) of glasshouses are used to produce tomatoes in Britain.

• The retail value of British tomato production, allowing for 50% of the area being speciality types, is around £150 millions.

• Premium tomatoes, such as tomatoes on the vine, are driving growth in the market. Vine tomatoes now account for over 40% of the UK tomato production area.

• The strength of the pound has increased the flow of cheap foreign imports. Around 190,000 tonnes are imported from Spain and the Canary Islands, with a further 90,000 tonnes from Holland, 8,000 tonnes from Belgium, 9,000 tonnes from Italy, 5,000 tonnes from France and 3,000 tonnes from Israel. Imports from Morocco and Poland are increasing rapidly.

• Approximately 2,500 people are currently employed in the British tomato industry and two million bumble bees!

• The most popular fruits eaten in the UK (accepting that tomatoes are technically a fruit) are:
  1. Banana
  2. Apple
  3. Orange
  4. Tomato

(Data for Britain refers to the UK and the Channel Islands)