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The total number of hectares planted with tomatoes reached 4.022 hectares in Mendoza. The provinces of Mendoza and San Juan account for more than 80% of the national production.
According to a report from the Ministry of Economy and Energy, together with the Institute of Rural Development (IDR), the area cultivated with tomato in Mendoza increased by 7%, reaching 4,022 hectares, from 3,757 hectares cultivated during the last period.
88% of the total number of hectares corresponds to industrial tomato. For the industrial tomato, the area increased 2.2% between the 2021/22 season (3,454 ha) and the recent 2022/23 season (3,531 ha).
This season, 22% of the summer vegetable area was planted with tomato, which made it the second most important crop in the province (after pumpkin), while it normally is in third place, after potato and pumpkin.
The highest tomato production was in the central area (1,358.12 ha) stands out first (1,358.12 ha), followed by the Uco Valley (1,021.98 ha), the Eastern area (787.79 ha), the Northern area (750.18 ha) and the Southern area (104.32 ha)
Guillermo San Martin, Manager of the Tomato 2000 Association, commented that the yield this season reduced because of the damage caused by the climatic contingencies. It would have reached 85 instead of 75, had the contingencies not been so severe.
The Argentinean tomato market is divided into fresh and industrial markets. The average annual production in recent years has been around 1,100,000 tonnes and 17,000 productive hectares. Only 30 to 40% are destined for the industry, while 60-70% is destined for fresh consumption. National production of industrial tomatoes is below domestic demand. The demand is generally covered by Chile and Italy.
This year, the crop will reach approximately 587 million kilos (compared to an average of 550 million kilos in a normal season), but with a consumption of around 635 million kilos, importing tomatoes (around 48 million kilos) will be necessary again, mainly from Chile.
