France: the tomato interbranch organization is working on reviving the industry

 On Tuesday June 14, 2022, the Sonito, the French Interbranch Organization of the tomato processing industry, held its General Assembly, gathering representatives of the four Producers' Organizations (CETOMI) as well as representatives of the first-stage processing industry (ADEPALE-FIAC). Sophie Colvine, Secretary general of the AMITOM and the WPTC and François-Xavier Branthôme, editor of Tomato News, were present to contribute their international expertise of the processing tomato market. 

After approving the accounts and presenting the activity report for the 2021 season, marked once again by adverse climatic episodes during the fall in the south-western region, the President of Sonito, André Bernard, and its Director, Robert Giovinazzo, spoke about the various recent conversations and hearings with the Senate and representatives of the cabinet of the Minister of Agriculture on the topic of food sovereignty, particularly in relation to the consequences of events in the Ukraine, and in the context of the aftermath of the Pandemic. All the industry's operators agree on the obvious lack of visibility in the current context, and on the need to bounce back and gain points in terms of French self-sufficiency. Initially, it is necessary to maintain the supply volumes for current processors at the usual level of 200,000 tonnes, which is not yet the case, given that 2022 forecasts stand at 155,000 tonnes. Then, in line with the objectives set by public authorities, the French industry must build and commit to the implementation of an ambitious strategy for the redeployment of new planted surfaces and factories, using the levers of a circular, territorial and carbon-free economy in order to achieve a balance for the agricultural and industrial fabric.

Source: Sonito