Reader’s Digest: March 2025

In March 2025, we published the following articles:

• A recent study suggests that lycopene might help fight depression.
• Morning Star Tomato Bites, February 2025
• A new tomato processing plant was inaugurated in Burkina Faso, with a capacity of 100 tonnes of fresh tomatoes per day.
• The minister of the Volta region, in Ghana, proposes measures to attract investors to establish tomato processing plants.
• Tomato Paste Prices, March 2025: USA, Spain, Portugal, Italy, China, Chile.
• In Nigeria, both tomato growers and GB Foods have called on the Federal Government for help, to reduce post-harvest losses and to decrease reliance on imported tomato paste.
• The European Commission published proposed changes to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the Directive for unfair Trading Practices (UTP). The aim of these changes is to strengthen the position of farmers and to promote fairer commercial practices within the food supply chain.
• US Exports of tomato paste and sauces recorded double-digit growth in 2024, unlike canned tomatoes which showed hesitant growth.
• WPTC southern hemisphere crop update as of 10 March 2025.
• The Spanish region of Extremadura, which provides 5% of the world’s supply, is now part of the “Go Pomodoro” project. This European initiative aims to adapt tomato production to climate, economic and social realities, optimize costs, water and energy consumption as well as the use of fertilizers.
• In India, the region of Punjab is facing a supply challenge, as the local facilities are under-equipped to produce tomato paste, which is what the ketchup factories are sourcing.
• Global Exports of Tomato Paste, updated March 14, 2025.
• Navatta launched a new generation of aseptic fillers: the WebZero and WebOne automatic loaders.
• The European AGROSUS project launched a weed database, featuring 117 weed species and in 13 languages. It is designed to support farmers, researchers and policymakers.
• Findings from the ISMEA Report 2025 on the 2024 tomato production in Italy.
• The Italian Rodolfi Mansueto doubled its turnover in the last five years and continues the rebranding it started in 2024 to modernize its image.
• With the initiative Il Rosso by Bayer, the company wants to build a more integrated, efficient and sustainable supply chain, through involving all actors to share experiences, data, cultivation protocols and digital solutions.
• Prices of Canned Tomatoes, March 2025: Italy, Spain, USA, Greece, Portugal.
• A new study shows that when tomatoes ripen, harmful chemicals that were present at the beginning to protect the plant from bugs and pests are transformed into a harmless substance.
• The Italian agri-food brand Valfrutta was recognized as a historical brand. This solidifies Conserve Italia’s position as all five of its primary Italian brands are now recognized historical brands.
• The TOP 50 tomato processors processed 30 million metric tonnes in 2024.
• Morning Star Tomatoes acquired Del Monte Foods’ Hanford facility in order to facilitate finding a new buyer for it.
• Los Gatos Tomato Products was awarded close to $1 million from Pacific Gas& Electric and partnered with CLEAResult on a multi-year Strategic Energy Management program.
• In Argentina, the tomato industry is worried by the opening of the market to imports of tomato paste. They fear consequences on production, employment and the regional economy.
• Mutti launched its Lion Jar pasta sauce line, with a new, premium and sustainable packaging.
• Heinz introduced a new ketchup in a new jar format, Chip Dip, specially made for dipping potato chips.
• Global Imports of Tomato Products, updated 27 March 2025.
• US Inventories on March 1, 2025 (report).
• In Spain, Kraft Heinz invested 70 million Euro over three years to expand its Alfaro plant, increasing its capacity by 50% and contributing to the local economy.
• WPTC Crop update as of 28 March 2025.
• Francois-Xavier Branthôme is retiring after 25 years as Editor of Tomato News and passing the baton to Madeleine Royere-Koonings.

You can find the individual articles in the NEWS list and/or search by keyword, date etc.