Italy's tomato production is facing significant challenges, with growers struggling under the dual pressures of severe weather and rising costs. In Northern Italy, production costs have soared to over €10,000 per hectare, significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels. These increases are driven by unpredictable weather conditions, rising energy prices, and higher labor and insurance expenses. Despite these obstacles, Italy's tomato processing companies, such as Mutti, are actively adapting their production methods to cope with the changing environment and maintain their competitiveness.
Globally, demand for tomato paste remains robust, despite supply chain and climate-related challenges. Countries like Egypt are expanding agricultural projects to boost tomato paste production and exports, particularly through initiatives that convert desert land into farmland. This has significantly enhanced the country's agricultural capacity. Although global imports of tomato paste have slightly declined in 2023-2024, they remain at relatively high levels, indicating continued strong market demand and a positive outlook for the global tomato paste industry.
