Mar 24, 2025
IndexBox has just published a new report: Africa – Tomatoes – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights.
The demand for tomatoes in Africa is on the rise, leading to an anticipated increase in market consumption over the next ten years. Market performance is forecasted to continue its upward trend, with a projected CAGR of +1.1% in volume and +1.6% in value from 2024 to 2035. By the end of 2035, the market volume is expected to reach 25 million tons, with a market value of $18.7 billion in nominal prices.
Market Forecast
Driven by increasing demand for tomatoes in Africa, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +1.1% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 25M tons by the end of 2035.
In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +1.6% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $18.7B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.
Consumption
Africa’s Consumption of Tomatoes
Tomato consumption contracted modestly to 22M tons in 2024, approximately mirroring the previous year’s figure. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% over the period from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The volume of consumption peaked at 23M tons in 2021; however, from 2022 to 2024, consumption remained at a lower figure.
The size of the tomato market in Africa dropped to $15.7B in 2024, approximately equating the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers’ margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. The level of consumption peaked at $15.9B in 2021; however, from 2022 to 2024, consumption remained at a lower figure.
Consumption By Country
The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2024 were Egypt (6.3M tons), Nigeria (3.7M tons) and Algeria (1.7M tons), with a combined 52% share of total consumption. Mozambique, Cameroon, Tunisia, Morocco, Angola, Sudan and Tanzania lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 28%.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the main consuming countries, was attained by Mozambique (with a CAGR of +13.9%), while consumption for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, Egypt ($5.1B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was held by Tunisia ($2.3B). It was followed by Algeria.
In Egypt, the tomato market shrank by an average annual rate of -1.2% over the period from 2013-2024. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Tunisia (+3.9% per year) and Algeria (+3.7% per year).
The countries with the highest levels of tomato per capita consumption in 2024 were Tunisia (98 kg per person), Egypt (57 kg per person) and Cameroon (42 kg per person).
From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Mozambique (with a CAGR of +10.7%), while consumption for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Production
Africa’s Production of Tomatoes
In 2024, production of tomatoes in Africa declined modestly to 23M tons, remaining constant against the year before. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when the production volume increased by 16% against the previous year. The volume of production peaked at 23M tons in 2021; however, from 2022 to 2024, production remained at a lower figure. The general positive trend in terms output was largely conditioned by a mild increase of the harvested area and a perceptible downturn in yield figures.
In value terms, tomato production fell modestly to $17B in 2024 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the production volume increased by 13%. Over the period under review, production attained the maximum level at $17B in 2023, and then declined modestly in the following year.
Production By Country
The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2024 were Egypt (6.3M tons), Nigeria (3.7M tons) and Algeria (1.7M tons), with a combined 50% share of total production. Morocco, Mozambique, Cameroon, Tunisia, Angola, Sudan and Kenya lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 30%.
From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Mozambique (with a CAGR of +14.0%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Yield
The average tomato yield expanded to 13 tons per ha in 2024, surging by 2.9% compared with 2023. In general, the yield, however, showed a pronounced decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 10% against the previous year. As a result, the yield attained the peak level of 17 tons per ha. From 2015 to 2024, the growth of the tomato yield remained at a somewhat lower figure.
Harvested Area
In 2024, the tomato harvested area in Africa declined slightly to 1.8M ha, which is down by -2.9% against 2023. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% from 2013 to 2024; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 11%. The level of harvested area peaked at 1.9M ha in 2023, and then dropped modestly in the following year.
Imports
Africa’s Imports of Tomatoes
In 2024, tomato imports in Africa skyrocketed to 59K tons, growing by 28% on the year before. Total imports indicated a pronounced expansion from 2013 to 2024: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, imports increased by +129.3% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when imports increased by 50%. As a result, imports reached the peak of 71K tons. From 2015 to 2024, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.
In value terms, tomato imports skyrocketed to $38M in 2024. Total imports indicated a moderate increase from 2013 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, imports increased by +103.9% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2022 when imports increased by 33% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure in 2024 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.
Imports By Country
In 2024, South Africa (16K tons), Mozambique (12K tons), Djibouti (8.2K tons) and Libya (6.6K tons) was the main importer of tomatoes in Africa, constituting 72% of total import. Somalia (3.9K tons) held the next position in the ranking, followed by Lesotho (3.4K tons). All these countries together took near 12% share of total imports. The following importers – Mauritania (1.3K tons) and Gabon (1.2K tons) – each reached a 4.2% share of total imports.
From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Somalia (with a CAGR of +63.3%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, South Africa ($8.1M), Libya ($7.1M) and Mozambique ($6.3M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2024, together accounting for 57% of total imports. Djibouti, Somalia, Mauritania, Lesotho and Gabon lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 25%.
Among the main importing countries, Mauritania, with a CAGR of +51.7%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Import Prices By Country
In 2024, the import price in Africa amounted to $641 per ton, reducing by -5.1% against the previous year. Import price indicated a mild expansion from 2013 to 2024: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, tomato import price decreased by -21.0% against 2022 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when the import price increased by 47%. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $811 per ton in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.
There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2024, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Mauritania ($1,350 per ton), while Gabon ($133 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Africa (+11.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Exports
Africa’s Exports of Tomatoes
In 2024, tomato exports in Africa expanded significantly to 877K tons, surging by 9.3% against 2023. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% from 2013 to 2024; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2022 with an increase of 19%. The volume of export peaked in 2024 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.
In value terms, tomato exports amounted to $1.3B in 2024. Over the period under review, exports enjoyed a buoyant increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when exports increased by 19%. The level of export peaked in 2024 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.
Exports By Country
Morocco dominates exports structure, amounting to 721K tons, which was approx. 82% of total exports in 2024. It was distantly followed by Kenya (50K tons), achieving a 5.7% share of total exports. Tunisia (26K tons), Ethiopia (25K tons), South Africa (19K tons) and Egypt (16K tons) took a relatively small share of total exports.
Exports from Morocco increased at an average annual rate of +4.2% from 2013 to 2024. At the same time, Kenya (+69.6%), Ethiopia (+9.4%) and Tunisia (+7.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Kenya emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Africa, with a CAGR of +69.6% from 2013-2024. By contrast, South Africa (-2.3%) and Egypt (-13.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2013 to 2024, the share of Kenya and Morocco increased by +5.6 and +5.4 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.
In value terms, Morocco ($1.2B) remains the largest tomato supplier in Africa, comprising 90% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Tunisia ($62M), with a 4.7% share of total exports. It was followed by Egypt, with a 2.6% share.
In Morocco, tomato exports expanded at an average annual rate of +9.6% over the period from 2013-2024. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Tunisia (+12.6% per year) and Egypt (-5.1% per year).
Export Prices By Country
In 2024, the export price in Africa amounted to $1,493 per ton, falling by -7.4% against the previous year. Export price indicated a perceptible expansion from 2013 to 2024: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.7% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, tomato export price increased by +66.5% against 2013 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2023 an increase of 22%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $1,612 per ton, and then contracted in the following year.
There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2024, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Tunisia ($2,356 per ton), while Kenya ($120 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Egypt (+9.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
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