Tomato Output to Jump in China

WASHINGTON - May 18/06 - SNS -- Fresh tomato production in China is expected to reach 32.5 million metric tons (MT) in 2006-07 as vegetable growers respond to unusually strong markets for the commodity.

Tomatoes for processing are forecast to recover to 3.9 million MT in 2006-07, up 15% from 2005-06 mostly the result of expanded acreage in Inner Mongolia, argues the U.S. agricultural attache for the country in a recent review of the sector.

"Field visits in major tomato-producing areas revealed that the high prices are encouraging some acreage expansion and more inputs, such as fertilizer and labor, which will increase yields," said the U.S. agricultural attache.

"The unusually high prices are a result of the poor crop in 2005. Although official data is not currently available, (it is) estimated China produced 29.8 million MT for fresh consumption in 2005, down about 5% from 2004 because of less planted acreage and poor weather in some of the major tomato producing provinces."

Although fresh tomatoes are produced in all provinces, the major tomato-producing provinces are Shandong, Xinjiang, Hebei, and Henan provinces, which account for about 55% of China's total production. Fresh tomatoes are available in the Chinese market year round.

Depending on the season they are produced either in greenhouses, open fields, or plastic covers. Open fields accounts for 50% of the total tomato production, larger greenhouse production accounts for 40%, and small vinyl plastic covered growing areas account for 10%.

Subscribers can read the full text of the article by Clicking here