Update on European Imports of Chinese Tomato Paste

Analysis of Chinese exports of tomato pastes to Europe shows that they are still decreasing, even though a few countries remain exceptions, particularly among non-processing countries.

Building on our November 2025 analysis of Chinese tomato paste exports, we now examine trade flow patterns to European markets over the past six months.

The last two quarters confirm the trend that was shown previously. In 2025 Chinese exports of tomato paste amounted 120 395 tonnes, compared with 184 085 tonnes in 2024.

The majority of the decrease observed in Europe was due to Western EU countries, whose purchases fell by 64% (-95,000 tons) in 2025 compared to the average of the three previous years (2022 to 2024); at the same time, sales of Chinese tomato pastes to Eastern EU countries and non-EU European countries increased significantly, by approximately 10,500 tons (+27%) for the former, and by 4,600 tons (+34%) for the latter.

In total, total European purchases over the period considered decreased by 40% and 79,500 tons.

A comparison of the 2025 results with the average of the three previous years shows that the most significant decreases in Western Europe countries are attributable to Italy (-70,500 t, a 73% decrease), Portugal (-21,500 t, -100%) and Denmark (-133 t, -83%); only three increases were recorded, for Finland (+92 t, +52%) and a very slight increase in Austria (+14 t, +7%) and in Greece (+8 t, +1%).

In Eastern Europe, almost all countries increased their purchases of Chinese tomato pastes, and only 3 countries decreased: Latvia, Lithuania and Cyprus, respectively by 28% (-571 t), 11% (-143 t) and 13% (+25%). The most important increases were Slovenia (+614 t, +577%), Czech Republic (+2710 t, +260%), Bulgaria (+930 t, +176%) and Croatia (+4588 t, +147%).

Outside the EU, Chinese exports of tomato pastes increased significantly in the United Kingdom and to a lesser extent in all the other countries, except in Norway where it decreased by 152 t (6%); British purchases increased in 2025 by 3,500 tons (+35%) compared to the average of the three previous years.

In total, in 2025, Europe accounted for approximately 10.3% of Chinese concentrate exports, broken down between Western Europe (4.6%), Eastern Europe (4.2%), and Europe outside the EU (1.5%).
In the first quarter of 2026, European purchases represented 9.7% of Chinese external sales; even less than 2025.

In 2025, revenue (approximately USD 846 million) generated by Chinese exports of tomato paste decreased by USD 356 million (-42%) compared to the 2024 figure.
Sales to Europe (USD 87 million) accounted for approximately 10.3% of the Chinese total for 2025, with the first four countries, respectively Italy, Poland, Germany and United Kingdom accounting for 2%, 1.7%, 1.5 and 1.4% each.

Some complementary data

European imports of Chinese tomato paste in relation to total Chinese exports over the last five years:

Sources: Trade Data Monitor, WPTC