Key Highlights

• Fresh and chilled tomatoes are classified under HS Code 0702

• The data presented in this blog is for CY25 and is taken from Global Trade Data By The Dollar Business

• USA, Germany, EU-28, United Kingdom, Netherlands are the top 5 export destinations for fresh tomatoes

• Tomatoes are one of the few fresh produce categories that stay in demand regardless of the economy

Get Access To Tomato Trade Data

If there's one agricultural product that never seems to lose demand, it's tomatoes. Demand across households, restaurants, hotels, supermarkets, and food processing units is so high that the supply of tomatoes is almost uninterrupted throughout the year. However, not every country can produce enough tomatoes year-round due to multiple factors. That’s where the tomato trade keeps the market well supplied, ensuring consumers have proper access to it all the time. This creates great opportunities for tomato exporters who are looking to expand into international markets.

This blog breaks down where fresh tomato exports are actually going, why certain countries import so much, and what that means if you're thinking about entering the tomato export business.

Global Fresh Tomato Market Overview

The global tomato market is one of the largest fresh produce categories in the world, and is not slowing down. Fresh tomatoes are grown on nearly every continent, but production and consumption don't always match the requirements. This gap is the major reason which drives the tomato imports - especially for countries that can’t grow enough, or can’t grow year-round.

Fresh tomato exports move under HS code 0702, the standard classification used by customs authorities worldwide. HS 0702 covers an enormous share of international tomato trade. Some countries, like the Netherlands and Spain, are both major producers and major exporters. Others, like the UK and Canada, depend almost entirely on imports to keep shelves stocked through the colder months.

Why Is Global Demand for Fresh Tomatoes Rising?

Diets are shifting toward fresh produce, and tomatoes sit right at the center of that shift. They're used in everything from home cooking to foodservice to processed products, which makes demand fairly resistant to economic ups and downs.

Urban populations are growing too, and cities need consistent, year-round supply - something local farms in colder climates simply can't provide alone. That has pushed countries like Germany, the UK, and Canada to rely more heavily on tomato importers who can guarantee steady volumes regardless of season.

There's also a quality shift happening. Buyers increasingly want specific varieties like cherry, plum, vine-ripened - rather than generic bulk stock. This has opened up real tomato export opportunities for exporters willing to specialize rather than compete purely on price.

Top Countries Importing Fresh Tomatoes in 2025

Global demand for fresh tomatoes remains strong, with both developed and emerging economies importing large volumes to meet the requirements. The table below lists the top-tomato importing countries in 2025 based on import value:

Top Importing Countries	Value (USD)
USA	$2.96B
Germany	$1.86B
EU-28	$1.55B
United Kingdom	$852.77M
Netherlands	$460.49M
Spain	$355.84M
Canada	$300.38M
Russia	$242.10M
Poland	$238.59M
Italy	$200.82M

USA - $2.96B Imports

The US is the single largest fresh tomato export destination by a wide margin. The demand exists here from a massive foodservice sector, year-round retail expectations, and a domestic growing season that simply can't cover every region every month. The best opportunity here for exporters is supplying during off-season windows, particularly in winter when domestic production drops.

Germany - $1.86B Imports

One of Europe's biggest fresh produce markets, and a fairly demanding one. High consumption levels and consistent retail demand make it an attractive destination. German buyers care less about chasing the cheapest price and more about consistency - same quality, same volume, shipment after shipment. Exporters who can prove reliability tend to build longer relationships here than in most other markets on this list.

EU-28 - $1.55B Imports

The broader European market continues to create opportunities for fresh produce exports. Import demand remains strong across multiple countries due to seasonal production variations and growing fresh food consumption.

United Kingdom - $852.77M Imports

The UK relies heavily on imported vegetables throughout the year. This creates a stable environment for tomato export business growth. The opportunity here favors exporters who can offer reliable, documented supply chains that clear UK customs smoothly, since delays at the border are a real cost in this market.

Netherlands - $460.49M Imports

The Netherlands is a bit of a special case. The Netherlands grows a huge amount of its own tomatoes using advanced greenhouse tech, yet it still imports heavily - largely because Rotterdam functions as a re-export hub for the rest of Europe.

Spain - $355.84M Imports

Spain is itself a major tomato grower, which makes its import numbers look odd at first glance. But it imports to fill seasonal gaps and to source varieties it doesn't grow much domestically. Specialty and niche tomato types tend to do better here than plain bulk supply.

Canada - $300.38M Imports

Canada's short growing season makes it heavily import-dependent for a large part of the year. Greenhouse production has grown, but it doesn't come close to covering national demand. Long-term supply agreements with Canadian distributors, especially for winter months, are one of the more stable business opportunities on this list.

Russian Federation - $242.10M Imports

Russia's import picture has shifted quite a bit lately, shaped by changing trade relationships and a domestic push toward import substitution. Demand is still real, but exporters need to consider logistics complexity and evolving trade policy before committing to this market.

Poland - $238.59M Imports

Poland's retail and foodservice sectors have grown fast, and fresh produce consumption has grown right along with them. It works both as a consumption market in its own right and as a logistics point feeding Central and Eastern Europe more broadly - which makes it worth watching as an emerging destination.

Italy - $200.82M Imports

Despite Italy having domestic tomato production, it remains a significant import market. Italy's known for processed tomatoes more than anything, but it still imports fresh ones to cover seasonal shortages and to meet demand for specific varieties that restaurants and shops need.

What Buyers Look for in Fresh Tomato Suppliers?

Consistency matters more than anything else when it comes to fresh tomato imports. Tomato buyers need suppliers who can deliver the same quality and volume in every shipment. A single bad shipment can destroy the relationship, especially with retail buyers working to strict specifications.

Certifications carry real weight too. GlobalGAP, food safety documentation, and traceability records are often non-negotiable for buyers in the US, EU, and UK. Beyond paperwork, buyers care about cold chain reliability, since tomatoes are perishable and a delay in transit can wipe out an entire shipment's value.

Price still matters, obviously, but it's rarely the deciding factor on its own. Buyers weigh price against reliability, packaging quality, and how easy a supplier is to communicate with across time zones.

India's Role in the Global Fresh Tomato Trade

India produces a huge amount of tomatoes, yet its export footprint doesn’t match its production scale. It's because of the large domestic consumption by the Indian population and diverse utilization in Indian recipes. Despite this, India manages to export tomatoes to neighboring markets like Bangladesh, Nepal, and parts of the Middle East, where shorter distance keeps freight costs manageable. India will become more successful in tomato exports when it starts focusing on improving cold storage and logistics infrastructure. It is because fluctuating prices and post-harvest losses have been the major obstacles to the amount of surplus that can leave the country for export. As that infrastructure improves, India has real room to grow its share of fresh tomato export destinations.

Common Challenges in Fresh Tomato Exporting

Perishability is the obvious one. Tomatoes have a short shelf life, and any delay like a customs hold, a missed connection, or a temperature swing can turn a profitable shipment into a loss. Cold chain logistics aren't optional in this business, they're the whole game now. Regulatory compliance is another challenge as different destination countries have different pesticide residue limits, packaging rules, and documentation requirements. If this goes wrong, it won’t just cost money, but it can get an entire shipment rejected at the border. Price volatility is also a constant risk. Tomato prices swing with weather, harvest timing, and regional supply gluts, which makes margins harder to predict than in more stable commodity categories.

Wrapping Up

Tomato exports is a genuinely huge market but the real success depends on selecting the right markets and supplying the required quality of tomatoes. While the challenges of logistics and shelf life are real, the potential rewards for a well-managed operation are significant. To thrive, focus on building long-term relationships and backing your business decisions with data. Exporters who combine product quality with market intelligence are often better positioned to grow their business internationally.

If you're an exporter looking to identify active tomato importers, verify their buying history, and want to see where your competitor sells, a global trade data platform like EX-IM By The Dollar Business gives you a far clearer starting point than guesswork. It provides you shipment-level data that shows which companies are already importing fresh tomatoes, how often, and from where. Book a demo to see how EX-IM can help you find the right buyers!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the HS code for fresh tomatoes?
Fresh tomatoes fall under HS code 0702. It is the standard classification used by customs authorities worldwide.

2. What are the top export destinations for fresh tomatoes?
The top five export destinations for fresh tomatoes in 2025 include USA, Germany, EU-28, United Kingdom, and Netherland - together they account for more than $6B imports.

3. How can I find international tomato buyers?
You can find international tomato buyers using trade intel platforms such as EX-IM By The Dollar Business.

4. Is tomato export profitable?
Yes, tomato exports can be profitable when exporters focus on high-demand markets, maintain product quality, manage logistics efficiently, and build relationships with reliable tomato importers.

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