2026 Campaign: 6.3 Million Tonnes Tomatoes Processed in Italy

Increasing acreage and rising production, but surging energy costs and production difficulties weigh heavily

ANICAV: “CAREFUL PLANNING IS ESSENTIAL FOR 2027”

The 2026 industrial tomato processing campaign closes in Italy with a total production of 6.3 million tonnes, an increase compared to last year. This is a significant result in terms of volume, consolidating Italy’s position as the second-largest producer in the world (after the USA and ahead of China). It comes amidst a significant increase in cultivated area—reaching 86,382 hectares (48,313 in the Northern Basin and 38,069 in the Center-South Basin)—as well as major cost-related challenges.

The campaign was particularly complex for processing companies, which, in order to guarantee high production quality, had to cope with a sharp surge in energy costs. During the tomato processing period, the average seasonal price of gas more than doubled compared to 2025 (+103%), while electricity prices recorded a 78% increase, further heightening pressure on industrial costs.

In the Center-South Basin, where 3.1 million tonnes of tomatoes were processed, the campaign was very long—starting early and extending until the end of October. This caused a considerable increase in production costs and a major loss of economies of scale, as plants were not always able to operate at full capacity.

In the Northern Basin, final processed volume reached 3.2 million tonnes. The result was impacted by a drop in agricultural yields, which marked the worst performance in the last five years due to adverse weather conditions—characterized by heatwaves, drought, and hailstorms—and limited water availability. This was compounded by lower-than-expected industrial yields, resulting in a final output below initial projections.

“This year’s processing campaign was particularly long and difficult, with challenges affecting both production basins, albeit through different dynamics,” stated Aldo Rodolfi, President of ANICAV. “Surging energy costs—which heavily impacted both production processes and transport—along with raw tomato prices that remain the highest in the world, put processing companies to a severe test. In this scenario, it will be crucial to begin careful planning for the 2027 campaign immediately, taking into account the production volume growth recorded over the last two years. At the same time, we cannot ignore the increasingly obvious effects of climate change, which impact the availability of raw materials, harvesting progress, and consequently, the organization and efficiency of industrial activity.”

Source: ANICAV