COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
Brussels, 10.06.1996 
COM(96) 247 final 
REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL 
THE TOMATO MARKET TN 
THE EUROPEAN TJNTON 

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 
At the Council meeting on agriculture on 19 and 22 June 1995 and during discussion of 
the 1995/96 price package, the Council asked the Commission to present a report on the 
situation in the tomato sector in the European Union. 
The Commission is now in a position to send the Council this report, which was written 
on the basis of a survey carried out by the Commission in the Member States to compare 
and confirm existing information and gather information which it did not then have at its 
disposal. 
This report confines itself to an analysis of the market for fresh tomatoes and does not 
deal with tomatoes for processing. 
There have been difficulties on the tomato market in recent years, particularly for 
greenhouse tomatoes, which are faced with market reorganization resulting from the new 
situation which has pertained since 1993, when Spain's transitional accession period for 
this product ended. 
This report also analyses Community assistance to production and marketing structures, 
which does not seem to have had a significant impact on production trends. 
It also covers national aid schemes entirely financed by Member States and granted 
specifically to the tomato sector. 
One conclusion of the report is that natural market development should reestablish 
sufficient equilibrium without Community intervention. 
However, in the past the Commission has not objected to national aid to dismantle 
production potential, and such aid could be applied in the case of greenhouse production. 
I 
INTRODUCTION 
SUMMARY 
I. ANALYSIS OF THE COMMUNITY TOMATO MARKET 
1.-The world market 
2.-The European market 
2.1 relative importance of the tomato sector in 
horticulture 
2.2 Community production 
2.3 Situation and development of production 
structures 
2.4 consumption and marketing 
2.5 Producer prices 
3.-Trade 
3.1 trade within the EC 
3.2 imports to the EC 
3.3 Community exports 
II. COMMUNITY AID 
1. Structural aid 
2. National aid 
CONCLUSIONS 
ANNEXES: 
1.Production regions: 
-Belgium 
-the Netherlands 
-Spain 
-France 
2.Statistics 
3.Structural annex 
V4 
INTRODUCTION 
At the Council meeting on agriculture of 19 and 22 June 1995, and in the context 
of discussion of the 1995/96 price package, the Council asked the Commission to 
present a report on the situation in the tomato sector in the European Union. 
This report was written on the basis of a survey carried out by the Commission in 
the Member States to compare and confirm existing information and gather 
information which it did not then have at its disposal. 
The period analysed covers the five years from 1990 to 1994. This period includes 
three marketing years during which Spain was still subject to the transitional 
accession rules for this product, and therefore subject to offer prices, and two 
marketing years, 1993 and 1994, during which Spain only retained a statistical 
system for monitoring consignments (supplementary trade mechanism). 
This report confines itself to an analysis of the market for fresh tomatoes and does 
not deal with tomatoes for processing, which are considered to be a different 
product as regards both production and marketing conditions. 
SUMMARY 
The tomato has increasingly become a staple vegetable in the European diet. It 
occupies an important place in the Community's agricultural economy (14.7% of 
the total volume of vegetables). It accounts for ECU 9.4 million of the Community 
budget, which are used for Community intervention on the market. 
Since 1990, Community production and the area planted with tomatoes have been 
falling. Yields, on the other hand, have been increasing at a remarkable pace 
because of developments in growing techniques. The trend in future will be 
towards more specialised production and a reduced number of enterprises. 
The increase in consumption that started in 1990 seems to have reached a 
plateau. Nevertheless, the trend in consumption is towards variety and quality, with 
demand for new types and varieties, with a more "open air" flavour. Adapting 
production to this new demand appears to be one of the ways in which production 
in the northern countries can be made more dynamic and better face the strong 
competition of the southern countries. 
Major seasonal fluctuations continue to be a key feature of this sector. Overall the 
price trend on wholesale markets is falling; however, there was a relative increase 
in rates for 1994. Although definitive figures are not available, it seems that prices 
have again fallen in 1995, in particular for greenhouse tomatoes produced in the 
north of the Community. 
This fall is due primarily to a fall in prices for the "traditional round" tomato, 
whereas for new "high value-added" varieties (tomatoes on the stalk and cherry 
tomatoes), producer prices are very attractive. The volume of production of these 
new varieties is rising. 
There is no indication that the fluctuations in value of certain weak currencies have 
any significant impact on the price of tomatoes coming from countries where 
devaluation has taken place (Spain, in particular). 
Community assistance, which has fallen overall since 1990, has been used only 
as a safety net for the market and in no instance as a source of income, since 
very little recourse has been taken to that option (1.6% on average). 
Community trade has increased by 27% since 1990. This is mainly as a result of 
the increase in Spanish consignments. 
The restructuring of production calendars is at the root of certain seasonal 
difficulties experienced by the sector between the northern and southern regions. 
Until 1994, the winter period (January, February, March) was almost entirely 
covered by Spanish (including the Canaries) and Moroccan production, while 
summer corresponded to the production season of the northern Member States 
( Belgium, the Netherlands and, to some extent, France). 
When the transitional accession period finished for Spain in 1993, restrictions on 
that country's prices also stopped, and the Spaniards now have full rights to sell 
their products to other countries during the so-called sensitive months (April, May 
and June), which has led to substantial overlapping with marketing of northern 
tomatoes. 
On the other hand, greenhouse producers are trying to secure part of the "winter 
market" using new cultivation techniques and high value-added varieties which 
require major investments. 
Imports from third countries, in particular Morocco, are sold principally on the 
French market. These imports do not seem to be disturbing the market. Moreover, 
since 1995 they have taken place in the context of the bilateral agreement with 
Morocco. 
Community aid for production and marketing structures does not seem to be 
having a significant effect on production trends. These have been much more 
influenced by normal market fluctuations, and in particular changing trends in intra-
Community trade. 
On the other hand, the Commission does not have information on aid schemes 
entirely financed by Member States and specifically granted to the tomato sector. 
In the overall context of national aid, the sector has benefited from general aid 
schemes for agriculture and regional development. 
1. THE WORLD MARKET 
World production of tomatoes is 18% of the volume of world vegetable 
production. According to FAO figures, world tomato production (including 
tomatoes for processing) rose from 50 million tonnes in 1990 to 74.3 million 
tonnes in 1993. International trade in fresh tomatoes accounts for less than 
4% of world production, while tomatoes for processing account for about 
30%. 
The low volume of exports of tomatoes for consumption unprocessed 
shows that the bulk of tomatoes produced in the world are intended for 
consumption on domestic markets. 
Indeed, certain characteristics of tomatoes mean that they are not very well 
adapted to international trade: they are very perishable and the production 
periods in importing and exporting countries overlap, while prices vary 
greatly according to season. 
The main producers are the European Union, the United States, the former 
Soviet Union, China and Turkey. 
The European Union is the leading producer, accounting for 13.4 million 
tonnes, of which 6.9 million, or 48.5% of total production, are for sale on the 
fresh tomatoes market.1 Trade in fresh tomatoes is highly developed in 
Europe, which also contains the world's biggest exporters, namely the 
Netherlands, Spain and Belgium, and its biggest importers, namely 
Germany, France and the United Kingdom. 
2. THE COMMUNITY MARKET 
2.1. Importance of the tomato sector in horticulture 
Fresh tomatoes are an important product in the horticultural sector. The fact 
that they are consumed by Europeans throughout the year means that they 
can be considered a "staple vegetable". They account for 14.7% of all 
vegetables produced in the Union. On average, 13% of the Union's 
horticultural area is devoted to tomatoes. 
1 for the period 1990 to 1994. 
The average cost to the Community budget is ECU 9.4 million2 for market 
intervention measures, accounting for 1.2% of the budget for the fresh fruit 
and vegetables sector. 
The quantities withdrawn from the market have fallen overall since 1990 
and on average make up 1.6 % of tomatoes produced for eating fresh from 
1990 to 1994 
Over that period, France withdrew 3% of its production, followed by the 
Netherlands (2.8%) and Italy (2.6%). 
2.2. Community production 
On average, 48.5% of Community tomato production is for consumption 
unprocessed. 
Italy (29.8%) leads among Europe's fresh tomato producers, followed by 
Spain (27.4%), Greece (10%) and the Netherlands ( 9%). 
Until 1990 production was increasing, but it then fell from 7 million tonnes 
that year to 6.3 million tonnes in 1994. 
Production fell substantially from the 1993 marketing year, in particular in 
Spain, Italy and the Netherlands. 
On the other hand, in Belgium and Greece production has increased since 
1990. 
Table 1: Tomato production trends (tonnes) 
Belgium 
Greece 
Spain 
France 
Italy 
Netherlands 
Portugal 
EUR-15 1988 
205030 
666910 
1 834 893 
417500 
1 594 916 
567 029 
63 893 
5.530.068 1989 
225 220 
728 050 
1 987 763 
421 700 
2 018 230 
620 782 
80 835 
6.265.710 1990 
268 400 
665790 
2 024 695 
461 100 
2 657 083 
640 725 
86 706 
6.987.534 1991 
313960 
710700 
1 793832 
527 300 
2 759 091 
636149 
72 625 
6.993.597 1992 
329 500 
754 940 
1 880143 
516 900 
2 712 099 
651 994 
64 267 
7.098.801 1993 
346 779 
784 850 
1 912 300 
643 400 
1 984 572 
606 612 
n.a . 
6.651.347 1994 
309 334 
757 250 
1 786 807 
492 600 
2 149 074 
540 577 
75 000 
6.262.412 
2average for the years 1990 to 1994. In 1994 the cost to the budget was ECU 4.46 
million, or 0.5 % of the budget for the fresh fruit and vegetables sector. 
Table 2: Trends in production as a proportion of total EUR production 
(%) 
Belgium 
Greece 
Spain 
France 
Italy 
Netherlands 1988 
3.7 
12 
33 
7.5 
28.7 
10.2 1989 
3.6 
11.5 
31.4 
6.7 
31.9 
9.8 1990 
3.8 
9.4 
28.7 
6.5 
37.7 
9.1 1991 
4.5 
10.1 
25.4 
7.5 
39.1 
9 1992 
4.6 
10.5 
26.3 
7.2 
37.9 
9.1 1993 
5.2 
11.7 
28.5 
9.6 
29.6 
9 1994 
4.9 
12 
28.2 
7.8 
33.9 
8.5 
2.3. Situation and development of production structures 
Open-air cultivation is practised in the southern countries, in particular in 
Italy, Spain, Greece, the south of France and Portugal. 
Growing under plastic is a recent variation on open-air production, 
consisting in protecting the crops under plastic tunnels. These are used 
principally to protect the crops from wind and optimise production quality. 
Greenhouse cultivation is practised in the northern countries, in particular 
in the Netherlands, Belgium and part of France. This type of cultivation 
allows crops to be kept warm artificially during the coldest periods. 
The total Community area devoted to tomato production has been falling 
since 1990 (from 255 000 ha in 1990 to 217 000 ha in 1994). This 
reduction is partly the result of a fall in the area used for traditional "open 
air" production in the southern countries, and coincides with an increase in 
yields and the introduction of new varieties. 
The largest area devoted to tomato growing is in Italy, which accounts for 
50.6% of the total area, followed by Spain with 25.5% and Greece with 
14.9%. 
The total area devoted to production under cover in the Community 
accounts for only 9% of the total area used for fresh tomato production. 
In Belgium and the Netherlands, all production area is under glass. That 
area has been falling steadily in the Netherlands since 1990, while in 
Belgium it has increased slightly. In Spain 16.6% of total production area 
is under cover, in Italy 5.3% and in France 60%. 
The overall area fell by around 17.7% from 1990 to 1994. The decrease 
was greatest in France (-38.9%), followed by the Netherlands (-29.2%), 
Greece (-20%) and Spain (-13.4%). 
10 
Table 3: Trends in area devoted to tomato production 
(hectares) 
Belgium 
Greece 
Spain 
France 
Italy 
Netherlands 1990 
940 
38 513 
69 884 
6 600 
136 378 
1 603 1991 
945 
39 015 
59 913 
6 650 
129 669 
1 570 1992 
963 
36 657 
55 802 
5 960 
117 595 
1 505 1993 
946 
33 110 
57 111 
6 060 
113 426 
. 1 390 1994-
954 
32 083 
61 613 
4 750 
115 248 
1 241 
The different production techniques practised lead to enormous differences 
in yield between each type of holding. 
The tables below show the difference between "open-air" yields - 50 
tonnes/ hectare - and "greenhouse" yields - 400 tonnes/hectare. 
Overall, between 1990 and 1994 yields increased by 2% per year for both 
types of production. 
These major increases in yield are the result principally of improved 
understanding of growing techniques, new, more productive varieties now 
on the market and new technologies that have come into use for crops 
under cover. 
Table 4: Trends in tomato yields 
(tonnes/ha) 
Belgium 
Greece 
Spain 
France 
Italy 
Netherlands 1988 
238.8 
45.5 
42.8 
108.2 
41 
330.6 1989 
246.1 
53.2 
44.9 
113 
45.5 
368 1990 
285.5 
45.6 
45.2 
119.3 
45.7 
399.7 1991 
332.2 
48.4 
44.5 
127.7 
47.7 
405.2 1992 
342.2 
51.2 
47.4 
128.2 
50.5 
433.2 1993 
366.6 
52.4 
49.1 
145.4 
48.4 
436.4 1994 
324.2 
52.6 
49.8 
162 
50.4 
435.6 
2.4. Consumption and marketing 
According to the information supplied by the Member States, 
consumption has increased since 1990. However, this trend is not 
necessarily indicative for the future, for which tomato farmers tend to 
predict a levelling off of consumption. 
11 
The average per-capita consumption of fresh tomatoes in the European 
Union is 24.6 kg3. This is far below the per-capita consumption level of 
31 kg recorded for the OECD countries. 
Greece is the biggest consumer of fresh tomatoes, followed by Italy and 
Spain. It should, however, be noted that fresh tomato consumption fell 
sharply in Spain in 1994. 
The above table also shows that consumption is not uniform across the 
Community, quite the contrary. The differences between Member States 
are considerable. There is a ratio of 1:15 between the lowest and the 
highest Member State consumption levels. 
There is a fairly marked growth in consumer preference for new varieties 
such as tomatoes on the stalk, cherry tomatoes or varieties with the 
most "open-air" flavours. 
As a rule, Member States with high production levels also have high 
consumption levels, but the latter remain more or less constant. 
Table 5: Consumption of fresh tomatoes 
Member State 
Belgium 
Denmark 
Germany 
Greece 
Spain 
France 
Ireland 
Italy 
Luxembourg 
Netherlands 
Portugal 
United Kingdom 
Austria 
Finland 
Sweden 1988 
10.9 
5.9 
13.9 
66.0 
37.0 
10.0 
6.0 
59.4 
/ 
6.1 
/ 
6.4 
/ 
8.3 
1 1989 
9.5 
/ 
14.8 
72.0 
40.8 
10.3 
6.0 
62.1 
/ 
6.2 
/ 
6.6 
/ 
8.5 
/ 1990 
11.8 
5.5 
15.4 
65.0 
43.6 
10.4 
6.0 
64.4 
/ 
6.5 
/ 
6.4 
/ 
9.1 
/ 1991 
14.0 
/ 
15.3 
69.0 
37.2 
10.6 
6.0 
63.3 
/ 
6.7 
/ 
5.9 
/ 
8.7 
/ 1992 
11.7 
/ 
15.7 
73.0 
36.5 
/ 
6.0 
57.6 
/ 
6.6 
/ 
6.0 
/ 
9.0 
/ (kg per capita) 
1993 
13.5 
5.0 
16.0 
76.0 
35.3 
/ 
/ 
57.1 
/ 
6.7 
/ 
4.5 
/ 
9.0 1994 
/ 
/ 
14.1 
73.0 
28.3 
/ 
/ 
55.6 
/ 
6.0 
/ 
5.5 
/ 
9.7 
'I ' 
Different varieties of tomatoes are used to satisfy demand from European 
consumers, who are increasingly seeking a wide range of differentiated 
products. This means that producers have to work harder to adapt to this 
segmentation of the market by growing new varieties. 
average for 1990 to 1994. 
12 
Over recent years the number of varieties has increased, and includes the 
"cherry" tomato and tomatoes on the stalk which have been very 
successful because of their flavour and the visible evidence that they are 
fresh. 
The production of tomatoes to be consumed fresh, as opposed to 
production for processing, is spread over the entire year, which has been 
made possible by new production techniques and new varieties of tomato. 
2.5 Producer prices 
The most striking feature of prices for fresh tomatoes is their variation 
according to season. Producer prices vary greatly according to the month 
of production and the Member State in which the tomatoes are produced. 
As a rule, prices are higher in winter than from May to November and 
remain at stable levels throughout the winter. 
Overall, prices for fresh tomatoes fell from 1990 to 1994, when they 
recovered slightly. 
In the 1991 marketing year, prices rose above 1990 levels. 
However, they fell in Spain, Italy and Portugal. In this year production, the 
area planted with tomatoes and yield also rose overall. 
The 1992 marketing year was the first in which prices fell. They did so 
most sharply in Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. 
In 1993 the downward price trend continued. Production fell despite an 
increase in the area planted. 
In 1994 prices were up on the preceding year. The rise was particularly 
marked in the Netherlands and France, where prices recovered very well, 
even going beyond 1990 levels. In Italy, Belgium and Portugal, on the other 
hand, prices recovered slightly without reaching 1990 rates. In Spain and 
the United Kingdom, price quotations remained at very low levels. 
13 
Table 6 on price trends by month shows a deviation from the main trend, 
whereby for Spain, the Netherlands and Belgium May and June prices have 
risen since 1990, while March and April prices have fallen. 
However, in 1994, March and April prices recovered substantially. 
Table 6: Development of monthly prices in relation to 1990 
I.Spain 
March 
April 
May 
June 1990 
100 
100 
100 
100 1991 
44 
79 
189 
133 1992 
64 
72 
160 
101 1993 
70 
116 
181 
105 1994 
88 
95 
132 
146 
2. Netherlands 
March 
April 
May 
June 1990 
100 
100 
100 
100 1991 
77 
110 
94 
159 1992 
68 
79 
126 
123 1993 
53 
74 
96 
109 1994 
77 
91 
104 
148 
3. Belgium 
March 
April 
May 
June 1990 
100 
100 
100 
100 1991 
73 
106 
92 
128 1992 
67 
85 
130 
110 1993 
59 
77 
101 
96 1994 
78 
86 
99 
123 
Source: Drawn up by DG VI using figures from the Ministry of Agriculture (Spain), the CBT 
and the VBT. 
Producers in the North complained of falls in prices in 1995 which made 
businesses unprofitable. 
This situation appears to have affected all greenhouse production, and is 
therefore not exclusively associated with the tomato sector. 
An illustration of this problem is provided by the following figures for 
traditional round tomatoes in Belgium: 
costs (investments, production and labour): 1 400 to 1 500 BFR/m2. 
Normal yield is around 55 kg/m2, a high yield around 60 kg/m2; 
this means that in order to obtain a financial result sufficient to cover 
costs, a price level of at least 23 BFR/kg must be reached (1 400 
BFR costs and 60 kg production) for the very good enterprises. The 
average price in Belgium was apparently 20 BFR/kg for 1995.4 
4Figures provided by the Member State. 
14 
"Belgian" tomatoes are in competition with "Spanish" tomatoes, which load 
price trends on the French market (55% of Belgian exports). 
An examination of Spanish prices in pesetas shows that there have been 
major changes, independently of monetary problems. In terms of trends, the 
regression line from January 1992 to April 1995 shows that developments 
in peseta prices run almost parallel to currency devaluations. On average 
over 40 months, the ecu/Pta rate increased fairly steadily by a total of 32%, 
while prices in pesetas increased, with major variations, by 51 %. This 
means that the price of Spanish tomatoes in ecus increased by around 14% 
over that period. 
There is, therefore, no indication that devaluations of the peseta have had 
an impact on the price in ecus, or, therefore in Belgian francs, of Spanish 
tomatoes. 
Spanish tomatoes 
Influence of monetary changes on prices 
• 1ecu=...PTA 
<• Prix Pte/Kg 
1 23456789 10 11 12 123456789 10 11 12 123456789 10 11 12 1 234 
January 1992/ April 1995 
15 
3. ANALYSIS QF TRADÇ 
3.1 Trade within the Community 
Community trade (including the Canaries) has increased in volume by 27% 
since 1990. 
The volume of trade is 1.3 million tonnes, or 21% of total production . 
Spain accounted for the bulk of intra-Community trade in 1994, with 
618 000 tonnes of consignments (of which 306 000 came from the 
Canaries); it should also be noted that this country has doubled its 
consignments since 1990. The runners-up were the Netherlands with 
410 000 tonnes and Belgium with 160 800 tonnes5. 
The main Community markets receiving these consignments are in 
Germany, the United Kingdom and France. 
Consignments from the Netherlands and Belgium have fallen since 1990, 
particularly during the 1993 marketing year, after which there was a slight 
recovery in 1994. 
French and Italian consignments, on the other hand, maintained their levels, 
increased in 1993, and had a "record" year in 1994. 
Table 7: Volume of intra-Community trade (tonnes) 
Spain 
Netherlands 
Belgium 
Italy 
France 
EUR-12 1990 
291.885 
545.958 
154.667 
17.196 
31.568 
1.051.777 1991 
331.391 
559.175 
172.437 
23.884 
43.317 
1.142.113 1992 
414.630 
545.010 
187.831 
28.883 
46.682 
1.238.824 1993 
433.167 
387.053 
150.403 
38.832 
46.758 
1.068.907 1994 
618.426 
409.669 
160.779 
64.655 
62.051 
1.332.080 
Source:Eurostat-Cronos.The figures for Spain include the Canaries 
The increase in Spanish consignments is undoubtedly related to the end of 
the transitional period at the beginning of the 1993 marketing year and the 
accompanying removal of restrictions. The increase was consolidated in 
1994, a year in which production and consumption fell in Spain. It may be 
concluded that for that year consignments to other countries were made at 
the cost of sales on the domestic market. Consignments from the mainland 
(Almeria and Murcia) also increased more than did those from the 
Canaries. 
5Figures for 1994. 
16 
Market calendars 
Intra-Community consignments were traditionally made over two different 
periods: 
Between November and March (winter tomatoes), Spanish tomatoes 
coming from the Canaries and Murcia/Almeria . 
Between April and September (summer tomatoes), from the 
Netherlands and Belgium. During this period tomatoes produced in 
Spain went onto the domestic market. 
However, two recent trends have disrupted the traditional pattern: 
Firstly, consignments originating in Spain have increased in April, 
May and June (see table below), while the high volume in January, 
February and March has been maintained. This heralds a Spanish 
commercial strategy aimed at sharing the marketing season 
traditionally reserved for northern producers. 
Secondly, there has also been an opposite trend in consignments 
from the Netherlands: in 1994 consignments increased in January, 
February and March. By contrast, consignments in May and June 
have fallen. 
In Belgium, consignments have increased in April and May, but also 
in February and March. 
These changes show competition between "northern" consignments 
and those of Spanish origin during the winter season. 
Since 1993, the Community market has been in upheaval as regards 
traditional trade calendars. New marketing strategies are being established. 
In the Netherlands, for example, diversification has made it possible to put 
tomatoes on the stalk on the market in February. On the other hand, 
Spanish production potential is enabling certain regions to produce for 11 
months out of 12. 
This has been one of the key problems on the tomato market in recent 
years. Natural market development should find a satisfactory balance 
without Community assistance being called for. 
Table 8: Development of trade calendars 
Belgium 
Netherlands 
Spain January 
1992 
1170 
22762 
105219 1993 
527 
16510 
76099 1994 
1076 
22830 
95013 February 
1992 
317 
18125 
50741 1993 
462 
14760 
108644 1994 
1862 
24694 
97027 March 
1992 
869 
27301 
68795 1993 
2221 
24878 
89203 1994 
2182 
36776 
88256 
17 
Belgium 
Netherlands 
Spain April 
1992 
11478 
46343 
43801 1993 
15248 
43828 
39099 1994 
81333 
43487 
49114 May 
1992 
23562 
74566 
8428 1993 
29100 
72308 
29671 1994 
26637 
65076 
50601 June 
1992 
30050 
93469 
5078 1993 
34558 
86330 
11230 1994 
34204 
77578 
50601 
3.2 Trade outside the Community 
Imports 
The principal supplier is currently Morocco, which distributed 148 000 
tonnes between November and March. 
The second largest supplier, with 4 000 tonnes in 1994, is Israel. The total 
volume of Community imports was 162 114 tonnes in 1994. 
Table 9: Community Imports 
MOROCCO 
TURKEY 
ISRAEL 
TOTAL 1990 
106 319 
3 014 
7 217 
-1991 
135808 
3 230 
5 707 
-1992 
131920 
3 926 
5 033 
152066 1993 
164360 
1 820 
3 860 
179572 1994 
148 297 
2 829 
4 073 
162114 
Morocco 
The area planted with tomatoes in Morocco has fallen since 1990 (from 
5500 ha in 1990 to 4000 ha in 1994), with a shift towards protected crops. 
Production has remained stable overall, despite a fall in 1994. 
The principal destination of imports from Morocco is France, which in 1994 
absorbed 85% of tomato imports from Morocco. Germany is the end market 
for 6.4% of the total volume and Belgium and the Netherlands absorb 2% 
each of Moroccan imports. Spain and Italy take less than 400 tonnes each. 
Protocol No 1 to the association agreement concluded with Morocco 
provides for a fresh tomato quota of 150 676 tonnes benefiting from a zero 
acf valorem duty and, from October to March, from a preferential entry 
price. 
18 
The agreement has not yet been implemented as far as the reduction in ad 
valorem duty is concerned: imports continue to benefit from zero a£[ 
valorem duty under the old agreement, which is still in force, within the limit 
of a Community quota of 96 208 tonnes for 15 November 1995 to 30 April 
1996, 16 800 tonnes of this during the period 1 to 30 April 1996. In 
addition, Morocco benefits from a bilateral French quota at zero ad valorem 
duty of 120 000 tonnes. 
When the new agreement finally enters into force, the Community quota at 
zero ad valorem duty will be 150 676 tonnes and the bilateral Franco-
Moroccan quota will be abolished. The new quota will therefore be 
equivalent to the sum of the old Community quota, the bilateral quota taken 
over by the Community and the quantities allocated as a result of the 
enlargement by three new Member States. 
The provision relating to the annual increase in the quota in the old 
agreement has been retained: each year from 1 January 1997 to 1 January 
2000 the quantity will be increased in four equal instalments amounting to 
3% of the amount. 
Lastly, outside the quota the ad valorem duty will be reduced by 60%. 
The agreement has already been implemented where the preferential entry 
price is concerned: it was introduced on 1 November 1995 by Council 
Regulation (EC) No 3057/95 of 22 December 1995 (OJ No L 326). 
In the period 1 November 1995 to 30 March 1996 Morocco benefited from 
an entry price of ECU 500/t for a maximum quantity of 145 676 tonnes. The 
Common Customs Tariffs entry price, applicable to all other origins, was 
ECU 688/t from 1 November to 20 December 1995, ECU 738/t from 21 to 
31 December 1995 and ECU 895/t from 1 January to 31 March 1996. 
In accordance with Article 3 of Protocol 1 to the association agreement with 
Morocco, for each period subsequent to 1 October to 31 March the country 
will benefit from the reduced entry price for a fixed maximum quantity of 
150 676 tonnes. That quantity is staggered per month as follows: 
Periods Quantities 
October 5 000 
November to March 145 676 
of which: 
November 18 601 
December 36 170 
January 30 749 
February 33 091 
March 27 065 
Total: 150676 
19 
The entry price - ECU 500/t for 1995/96 - is reduced in the same 
proportions and at the same rate as the entry price consolidated under the 
WTO. Tolerances - 20% monthly overrun and the ability to catch up on 20% 
of monthly quantities not used - are provided for the period November to 
March within the limit of the overall quantity. 
Lastly, Morocco notifies the Commission of weekly exports to the 
Community. 
These preferential arrangements relating to the additional special duty 
retained and refined the provisions introduced in the first quarter of 1995 
which were intended to guarantee that Morocco maintained its traditional 
trade flows. 
For the first year of application of the new entry price arrangements, for 
tomatoes from 1 January 1995, an agreement in the form of an exchange 
of letters between the European Community and the Kingdom of Morocco6 
fixed a preferential entry price for tomatoes at ECU 560/t. That agreement 
was applied for the first time to the period 1 January to 31 March 1996 for 
a maximum 81 006 tonnes based on traditional trade flows to the 
Community of 12. 
Morocco undertook not to exceed that quantity and to distribute it monthly: 
27 756, 29 594 and 23 656 tonnes in January, February and March 1995 
respectively within a tolerance of 10%, and to notify weekly quantities 
exported to the Community. 
Analysis of that period shows that the agreement was applied correctly: 
quantities were strictly complied with and the various information sources 
tallied (see table below). In addition, prices were satisfactory, except during 
a critical period in February 1995. 
Information 
sources/periods 
(quantities in tonnes) 
January 1995 
February 1995 
March 1995 
Totals: Communication from 
Morocco: 
exports to the EU 
28 697 
26 063 
24463 
79 223 Counted against quota 
11.0990: quantities 
imported 
28 884 
25 985 
26106 
80 975 Comext database: 
actual imports: 
26189 
25 319 
25 971 
77 479 
Council Decision of 20 December 1994 (OJ No L 48, 3.3.1995, p. 22).The 
Commission implemented that agreement by Regulation (EC) No 298/95 of 
14 February 1995 (OJ No L 35, 25.2.1995, p. 6). 
20 
Figures available for the year in progress indicate that Morocco is under-
using the preferential entry price quota. On the other hand, prices have 
been maintained: the standard import value has always been higher than 
the "Morocco" entry price except during two critical periods in mid-
November 1995 and mid-January 1996. 
Table 10: Development of Community Imports from Morocco 
Tomato*» 
CN code 0702 00 
in tonnes Trade outside the Community 
imports from Morocco 
into the European Union 
93 482 
93194 
80 968 
91874 
106319 
135808 
131 920 
164360 
148 297 
84 491 
21 
Exports 
Community tomato exports have been increasing constantly since 1990 for 
all Member States except the United Kingdom, going from 107 000 tonnes 
to 278 000 tonnes in 1994, an average annual increase of 24.1%. 
Table 11: Exports from the Community of 12 (in tonnes) 
Partners 
EU 
Canada 
Switzerland 
Poland 
Hungary 
Israel 
Russia 
Slovenia 
Croatia 
Czech Republic 
From EU 12 . 1990 
2 009 
425 
25 891 
2 070 
131 
3 
0 
0 
0 
0 
106 904 1991 
4106 
1769 
29 549 
22 260 
189 
24 
0 
0 
0 
0 
131 591 1992 
3 862 
1067 
29 239 
29 959 
1 782 
15 
84 
577 
111 
0 
147 383 1993 
12782 
1 978 
34 267 
43 570 
4 668 
0 
648 
5 051 
1 481 
6 950 
211207 1994 
12 549 
2 891 
39 816 
32 020 
4 463 
4 056 
35 759 
7 548 
6 602 
12 865 
278 089 
Generally speaking, exports have opened up towards the eastern European 
countries such as Russia, Poland, the Czech Republic and certain parts of the 
former Yugoslavia, a trade flow which should continue in the future. 
22 
//. COMMUNITY AID 
1- Structural aids 
(a) Aid to production structures 
Until 1993, EAGGF Guidance Section contributions to such aid were not 
programmed. The aid was granted as required under a system set up in 
each Member State and theEAGGF reimbursed expenditure notified by the 
Member States. Expenditure was eligible provided it complied with the 
provisions of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2328/91 on improving the 
efficiency of agricultural structures. Under that Regulation, there was no 
specific prohibition on aid to glasshouses or tomatoes. 
After 1994, a financial guideline existed for Objective 5(a) (together with 
programming, confined to aid granted in Objective 1 regions). However, 
despite the Commission's attempt to introduce specific programming for 
Regulation (EEC) No 2328/91 as a whole, the Council did not accept this 
approach. Under the present regulations, there is an indicative financial 
forecast only and, as regards investments, aid to glasshouses and 
tomatoes can continue to be granted. 
In view of this situation and the ensuing difficulties when it comes to 
considering the possible impact of such aid on tomato production, the 
Member States were requested to undertake an analysis of aid granted to 
the latter. All Member States claimed it was impossible to provide accurate 
information on aid to this area. In addition, sight should not be lost of the 
fact that production structures for fruit and vegetables vary greatly 
(depending on whether they are protected by plastic, netting, glass, etc.) 
and may be used for the production of several products depending on the 
season, the climate, consumer taste, the market, etc., which makes an 
accurate analysis under Objective 5(a) even more difficult. 
However, under the Operational Programmes, this type of investment is 
easier to identify. Thus, despite requests from a certain number of Member 
States regarding the construction of glasshouses for tomatoes, the reply 
has always been negative. The most recent case concerns Spain. The only 
cases where part-financing has been agreed to for glasshouses have 
involved highly specific measures and products such as flowers and out-of-
season production. 
Outside such Operational Programmes and in the absence of precise 
indicators, one can only venture an analysis. Since the regulations do not 
provide for a discriminating approach, some information was collected from 
the Member States to give an approximate idea of the situation. On the 
basis of data received, 5.5% of aid for investments under Regulation (EEC) 
No 2328/91 during the period 1990-94 was used for the construction and 
23 
modernization of glasshouses for all sorts of products, i.e. fruit, vegetables, 
flowers and nursery products. Such investments represent an overall 
burden of ECU 347.65 million on the EAGGF in 1990-94 for the Community 
as a whole. 
Using that overall figure as a basis and extrapolating therefrom, one can 
attempt to identify aid to tomatoes since this product accounts for around 
14% of total fruit and vegetable production only (excluding flowers and 
nursery products). By applying that percentage to the total aid to such 
investments, a figure of ECU 48.67 million is arrived at for the EAGGF 
contribution for 1990-94, giving an annual average of ECU 9.73 million for 
the Community of Twelve. 
One may conclude that while some marginal utilization of glasshouses for 
tomato production cannot be ruled out, the impact of structural aid to such 
investments on Community production is negligible. 
(b) Aid to processing and marketing structures 
To gain a comprehensive idea of the situation, aid for the processing and 
marketing of agricultural products should also be considered. In this area 
aid is permitted subject to precise selection criteria [see Annex]. Thus 
investments in the processing of tomatoes are prohibited or are subject to 
highly restrictive conditions, such as a 20% reduction in processing 
capacity. However, aid to marketing (fruit and vegetable markets and 
packaging) is generally permitted with the aim of facilitating the disposal of 
products on the market and is consequently beneficial for the production 
chain. 
For information, the table below summarizes aid for the processing and 
marketing of fruit and vegetables as a whole for 1991-93. In view of the 
restrictive approach in selection criteria and the relative importance of 
tomatoes in the fruit and vegetable industry as a whole, one may conclude 
that tomatoes have barely benefited from aid to processing and marketing. 
Regulation (EEC) No 866/90 - FRUIT AND VEGETABLES 
1991-93 
(ECU million) 
Member 
State 
Total for 
1991-93 
Annual 
average B. 
5.78 
1.45 DK 
0.11 
0.03 D 
29.10 
7.28 GR 
22.06 
5.52 E 
56.95 
14.24 F 
31.40 
7.85 IRL 
2.37 
0.59 I 
74.17 
18.54 L 
0 
0 NL 
4.59 
1.15 P 
26.2 
6.55 UK 
6.64 
1.66 Total 
EUR-12 
259.37 
64.84 
24 
2. National aids 
2.1 State aid cases in the tomato sector 
The Commission has no information about national aid schemes, solely 
financed by Member States, which are specificaly destined for the tomato 
sector. The only known case which is linked with the actual situation in the 
tomato market is a Belgian request for an an aid scheme.This scheme 
concerns rescue aid in the form of interest relief and state guarantee on 
credits for producers of tomatoes, paprika and cucumbers, who are in 
financial difficulties. 
According to current Commission policy the main condition for accepting 
such rescue aid is that it concerns investments made in the past and that 
the rescue aid in cumulation with investment aid already granted does not 
go beyond the maximum aid levels which are normally applied for 
investment aid. 
Further conditions for accepting rescue aid are that the financial difficulties 
of the enterprises concerned are caused by external factors or that the 
aided enterprises present proof of their future viability. 
It has to be pointed out that the current market problems of tomato 
producers in Belgium are the only conditions which may trigger the 
granting of such rescue aid. Granting this such aid could equally be 
possible as a consequence of other events such as a rise in interest 
rates. The main reason however for the Commission not to raise any 
objection to such aid is the fact that the investment aid granted in the past 
has not reached the limits normally accepted by the Commission. On this 
basis such aid can be considered as an additional investment aid "ex 
posteriori". 
2.2 Aid for the tomato sector in the context of general aid schemes 
Even if no specific national aid schemes for tomato producers are known 
to the Commission, the tomato sector can benefit from general State aid 
schemes for horticulture or indeed for regional schemes which do not 
exclude the agricultural sector. The possibilities for such aid are however 
rather limited for the reasons laid out below: 
25 
2.2.1 The Commission considers that national aid in the form of operating 
support (aid per unit of input or output, or per ha) is normally 
incompatible with the common market because this aid has no lasting effect 
on the development of the sector concerned. Furthermore in the case of 
products subject to common market organisation these aids risk disturbing 
Community support mechanisms and are consequently considered as 
infringements to the market organisations concerned. The CMO are 
considered as complete and exhaustive regulations for the products 
concerned which exclude any additional national aid. So if such aid were 
to exist it would as a general rule be granted on illegal terms. 
In the context of the discussion on the tomato market of the European 
Union two Dutch measures for the horticultural sector which might be 
thought to constitute operating aid (but which do not necessarily fulfil the 
conditions of Article 92 (1)) have to be mentioned: 
The gas tariff system for Dutch horticulture actually applied is 
considered by the Commission as not giving an economic advantage 
towards horticulture vis-à-vis other sectors of the Dutch economy 
because they can obtain the same tariff if they use quantities of gas 
to the same extent as in horticulture. Consequently no State aid falls 
under Article 92 (1) in this tariff The gas price in the Netherlands is 
for all sectors indexed to the oil price. 
Furthermore the Commission has no information about any possible 
aid in the form of tax relief for Dutch horticulture. This applies as well 
for the energy tax which has recently been approved by the 
Commission. This tax foresees a partial exemption of horticulture 
from the tax on energy. The main reason for the Commission 
accepting this exception for horticulture under glass was that "full 
taxation would not allow full rechannelling of the yield of the tax 
which is a precondition of this scheme" and "on the contrary, it would 
result in a substantial increase of the tax burden" for the horticultural 
sector (Commission decision of 20 December 1995). 
2.2.2 The only kind of operating aid fulfilling Aricle 92(1) which is possible as 
cofinanced aid under Council Regulation (EEC) No 2078/92 and as State 
aid is aid for environmentally compatible production methods in 
agriculture. This aid, normally granted in form of per ha aid, is destined to 
compensate for loss of income incurred as consequence of the 
undertakings for environmental protection given by the beneficiary plus an 
incentive element. It has to be mentioned that in current Commission policy 
on State aid the scale of incentive is not circumscribed. 
26 
Aid for environmentally compatible farming practices is often granted in 
form of cofinanced aid under the terms of the abovementioned Council 
regulation: As this regulation does not exclude State aid granted under 
differing conditions or exceeding the limits set in the regulation, 
supplementary State aid schemes exist in several Member States. 
2.2.3 As concerns investment aid this aid can be granted to tomato producers 
in the context of general aid schemes. These aid schemes aid fall to a 
great extent within the scope of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2328/91. This 
regulation allows supplementary State aid for investments only for specific 
purposes as e.g. aid for environmental protection not linked with an 
increase in production capacity. 
27 
CONCLUSIONS 
1. On the basis of this Community-wide analysis it can be stated that the 
Community market for fresh tomatoes seems to be balanced overall, with 
the normal fluctuations that characterise a dynamic market. 
Despite the increase in consumption since 1990, which appears to be 
setting in for the future, Community production and areas planted are 
falling. There have, however, been remarkable innovations in cultivation 
techniques, which have greatly increased yields. 
There is a gradual trend towards demand for greater diversity and higher 
quality. The adjustment of supply to demand is one of the key requirements 
for keeping the market dynamic. 
2. There is an overall trend towards falling wholesale prices, despite a relative 
increase in 1994. The trend in 1995 seems also to be towards falling prices. 
This reduction is not uniform, and "traditional" varieties have been more 
affected by it than new varieties and forms of presentation, for which 
producer prices have been very attractive. There has been very little 
recourse to Community assistance measures. 
There is no indication that the devaluation of certain currencies (the peseta 
and the lira) has affected the ecu price of tomatoes from countries with a 
weak currency (Spain in particular). 
3. The growing volume of intra-Community trade indicates that the sector is 
operating satisfactorily. However, there has been a redistribution of the 
traditional winter/summer consignment calendars. To resolve the north-
south conflict, it will be essential to find a balance for the 1.3 million tonnes 
involved in this trade. 
Imports from third countries, in particular Morocco, are not disturbing the 
Community market. 
4. Community aid for production and marketing structures does not seem to 
be having a significant effect on production trends. These have been much 
more influenced by normal market fluctuations, and in particular changing 
trends in intra-Community trade. 
The results of the analysis do not show general problems at structural level. 
The sector is proving dynamic, production cannot be said to be excessive, 
and fluctuations in trade may be considered a normal part of the operation 
of single market forces. 
5. The Commission does not have any information on national aids financed 
solely by Member States and intended specifically for the tomato sector. 
One aid of the "rescue" type has been applied for in the sector and it is 
currently being examined by the Commission. 
28 
RECOMMENDATIONS 
On the basis of these conclusions, the Commission considers that: 
1. The Community market is in the process of reorganization in response 
to the new situation which has pertained since 1993. The challenges 
to be faced are, firstly, the new requirements of the market and, 
secondly, the rescheduling of intra-Community trade calendars. 
Natural market developments should establish sufficient equilibrium 
without Community assistance being called for. 
2. The lack of profitability of certain "greenhouse" enterprises in the 
northern Member States does not affect only the tomato sector. These 
difficulties appear to be the result of temporary factors concerning the 
advisability of investment rather than of real changes in the balance 
of the market. 
3. Solutions should be studied on an appropriate case-by-case basis 
without, however, disturbing the proper operation of the single 
market. 
In the past, the Commission has not objected to national aid intended 
to dismantle production potential which could be applied in the 
particular case of greenhouses. 
This type of aid should be reserved exclusively for compensating for 
the loss of value of means of production and granted to unprofitable 
enterprises wishing to abandon horticulture. 
29 
ANNEXES 
30 
ANNEX I 
THE KEY PRODUCTION REGIONS 
1. Belgium 
Belgian production has increased by 13% since 1990. It is concentrated in the province 
of Antwerp, in particular at Mechelen and Hoogstraten, as well as in western Flanders. 
The most common method of disposal is via cooperatives which organize marketing of 
the products. 
Turnover on the wholesale tomato market in 1994 accounted for 23.3% of the total 
value of vegetables produced in Belgium. 
Overall turnover for greenhouse-grown vegetables in 1994 was 6.1% higher than in 
1993, with tomatoes accounting for the most significant growth. 
The number of enterprises, mostly family businesses, with an average area of 1 
hectare, has fallen since 1990, but the overall area planted has remained practically the 
same, with an increase in yield. The proportion of heated greenhouses has grown over 
the last two years at the cost of non-heated production. 
The overall trend in the sector is towards a decreasing number of enterprises and an 
increase in specialization and in the average area per enterprise. 
Average production prices (all varieties taken together) fell during the 1992 and 1993 
marketing years and recovered in 1994, which did not, however, quite bring prices back 
to 1990 levels. 
A more detailed analysis by variety shows that in 1993 prices for the traditional round 
tomatoes fell in relation to 1990, with a recovery in 1994. 
By contrast, the volume of tomatoes on the stalk rose sharply, from 430 tonnes in 
1993 to 2 752 tonnes in 1994 marketed from February onwards, accompanied by a net 
increase in prices for this type of presentation. 
The production of tomatoes on the stalk further increased in 1995 and the trend is 
expected to continue. 
After traditional tomato cultivation stabilized in Belgium in 1992 and 1993, Belgian 
producers decided to move towards diversification of that crop. This seems to have led 
to a recovery in price levels in 1994. 
Since 1990 Belgium has increased its total volume of consignments to other Member 
States, in particular France and the United Kingdom, while consignments to Germany 
are falling. 
31 
2.The Netherlands 
Production has fallen by 19% since 1990. The number of enterprises has fallen by 34% over 
the last five years, as has the area used for tomato production. Yields are still rising. The bulk 
of production is in the Westland region. 
Tomato production accounts for 37% of the total value of vegetable production. Since 1990 
sweet pepper production has increased at the cost of tomato production. 
By variety, the area devoted to production of round and beef tomatoes is falling, while there has 
been a correspondingly sharp increase (from 30 ha in 1993 to 150 ha in 1994) in the area 
devoted to the production of small tomatoes, tomatoes on the stalk and cherry tomatoes. 
Overall, prices (all varieties taken together) have held up at 1990 levels. During the 1992 and 
1993 marketing years they fell by 15% but recovered to 1990 levels in 1994. 
By variety, the prices for "beef tomatoes have fallen and those for tomatoes on the stalk and 
cherry tomatoes have held up. 
Traditionally, the bulk of produce in the Netherlands is sold by cooperatives who are also 
responsible for quality control and marketing. 
Over the last few years new strategies have focused more on market demand, leading to a 
policy of diversification In order to develop new "value-added opportunities". One example of 
this policy is the introduction of tomatoes on the stalk and "special flavour" tomatoes, which 
have been very successful on the market. 
More than 85% of tomatoes produced in the Netherlands are for external markets. These sales 
are carried out Dutch auction centres. Around fifteen major supermarket chains sell more than 
50% of Dutch tomatoes in the countries of destination. The main destinations are Germany, the 
United Kingdom and Sweden. 
Since 1990 consignments to Germany have been increasing, while those to the United Kingdom 
are falling. 
32 
3. France 
While production in France has increased since 1990, there was a sharp fall in 
harvests in 1994. 
Greenhouse production has led to a reduction in the area used and an increase in 
average yields. 
Greenhouse production in France currently accounts for 75% of the volume harvested. 
The average area of the enterprises, mostly family businesses, is less than 1 hectare. 
The market of almost 70% of production volume is concentrated in the hands of 45 
producer organizations. 
French production is concentrated in the regions of the south-east, south-west and 
north-west. In the south, Bouches-du-Rhône is the department with the highest 
production, accounting for 20% of total production. 
French production does not fully cover domestic demand, and its principal suppliers are 
Spain and Belgium. Imports from Spain have risen substantially, particularly for the 
winter season. Purchases of Belgian and Dutch tomatoes in the summer season are in 
direct competition with the French product. 
France provides the main market for imports from Morocco, absorbing more than 85% 
of them. 
33 
A.Soain 
The tomato, which is eaten more than any other vegetable in Spain, accounts for 25% 
of total horticultural production and is on the market all the year round. 
Since 1990 production and areas used for tomato production have fallen by 13%, while 
yields have continued to rise. 
Spanish production is carried on throughout the year, though winter production (October 
- June) has different characteristics to those of summer production (June- September). 
The bulk of summer tomatoes, which are principally for the domestic market, are farmed 
in the open by small family businesses. 
Winter tomatoes, on the other hand, the production of which is concentrated in the 
south-east on the Mediterranean coast and in the Canaries, account for more than 85% 
of all Spanish tomato production. Production is intensive with large and medium-sized 
enterprises which have developed very technically specialized methods and have very 
dynamic and effective marketing structures. All Spanish tomato exports come from the 
winter production regions. 
-The mainland: 
The main production areas are in Almeria and Murcia which account for 22% of 
Spanish fresh tomato production. Since 1990 production in that region has increased, 
as has, to a limited extent, the area used for the production of tomatoes under cover. 
Almost 60% of enterprises grow tomatoes under plastic covers, which makes it possible 
to obtain a better temperature in winter and ventilation during the hot periods of the 
year. 
The introduction of new varieties has made it possible to produce tomatoes of uniform 
quality 11 months out of 12 in this region. 
Over the last few years a model of efficient Mediterranean production has been 
established, integrating marketing (and thus export) structures around production areas. 
-The Canaries: 
The principal outlet for Canaries tomatoes is export, which currently accounts for 80% of 
the islands' total production. 
There are almost a hundred enterprises producing tomatoes, which account for 75% of 
the total value of horticultural production in the Canaries. 
The area planted and production, which have increased since 1990, now seem to have 
reached a plateau, as does the volume of consignments to the European Union. 
Since 1990 the sector has undergone structural modernization, based largely on the 
expectations of the European market, which is still continuing with modernization of 
packaging and marketing strategies. This process has undoubtedly been intensified by 
competition with Morocco. 
The opening up of competition in international transport nevertheless made it possible 
to achieve transport costs in 1994 that were 15% lower than in the preceding years. 
Consignments from the Canaries to the European Union increased by 29% in 1994; 
this increase was accounted for specifically by the United Kingdom market. 
The principal markets for consignments from the Canaries are in the United Kingdom 
(33.5%) and the Netherlands (63%), where a large proportion of the tomatoes are 
forwarded via Rotterdam to other destinations, within the Union or in third countries. 
34 
ANNEX II 
STATISTICS 
35 
Tomato farming in EUR 15 
Member State 
BELGIQUE 
DANMARK 
DEUTSCHLAND 
ELLAS 
ESPANA 
FRANCE 
IRELAND 
ITALIA 
LUXEMBOURG 
NEDERLAND 
PORTUGAL 
UNITED KINGD 
EUR 12 production 
area 
yield 
production 
area 
yield 
production 
area 
yield 
production 
area 
yield 
production 
area 
yield 
production 
area 
yield 
production 
area 
yield 
production 
area 
yield 
production 
area 
yield 
production 
area 
yield 
production 
area 
yield 
production 
area 
yield 
production 
area 
yield 1988 
205.030 
859 
239 
15.167 
47 
323 
19.100 
255 
75 
666.910 
36.720 
46 
1.834.893 
60.350 
43 
417.500 
6.420 
108 
13.500 
81 
167 
1.594.916 
116.013 
41 
30 
2 
15 
567.029 
1.715 
331 
63.893 
132.100 
624 
212 
5.530.068 
223.086 
133 1989 
225.220 
915 
246 
17.000 
21.500 
267 
81 
728.050 
37.691 
53 
1.987.763 
66.066 
45 
421.700 
6.600 
113 
10.600 
57 
186 
2.018.230 
133.601 
46 
30 
2 
15 
620.782 
1.687 
368 
80.835 
134.000 
595 
225 
6.265.710 
247.481 
115 1990 
298.400 
940 
286 
19.300 
00 
322 
14.500 
." 
." 
685.790 
38.513 
48 
2.024.895 
89.884 
45 
461.100 
6.600 
119 
10.500 
54 
194 
2.657.083 
136.378 
46 
35 
2 
18 
640.725 
1.603 
400 
86.706 
: 
: 
138.700 
580 
239 
6.987.534 
254.614 
143 1991 
313.960 
945 
332 
17.500 
16.000 
710.700 
39.015 
48 
1.793.832 
59.913 
44 
527.300 
6.650 
128 
9.100 
43 
212 
2.759.091 
129.669 
48 
40 
3 
13 
636.149 
1.570 
405 
72.625 
137.300 
556 
247 
6.993.597 
238.364 
123 1992 
329.500 
963 
342 
20.000 
31.306 
479 
65 
754.940 
36.657 
51 
1.880.143 
55.802 
47 
516.900 
5.960 
128 
11.700 
55 
213 
2.712.099 
117.595 
50 
52 
3 
17 
651.994 
1.505 
433 
64.267 
125.900 
476 
264 
7.098.801 
219.495 
134 1993 
346.779 
946 
367 
14.666 
55 
267 
24.100 
784.850 
33.110 
52 
1.912.300 
57.111 
49 
643.400 
6.060 
145 
0 
1.984.572 
113.426 
48 
65 
4 
19 
606.612 
1.390 
436 
221.103 
34.694 
21 
112.900 
401 
282 
6.651.347 
247.197 
140 1994 
309.334 
954 
324 
20.000 
20.700 
757.250 
32.083 
53 
1.786.807 
61.613 
50 
492.600 
4.750 
162 
0 
2.149.074 
115.248 
50 
70 
4 
20 
540.577 
1.241 
436 
75.000 
111.000 
388 
286 
6.262.412 
216.281 
115 
Source: Member states datas and EUROSTAT, table drawn up by DG VI.E.1 
& 
Tomato farming in EUR 15 - total production for consumption as fresh tomatoes 
Member State 
BELGIQUE 
DANMARK (*) 
DEUTSCHLAND 
ELLAS 
ESPANA 
FRANCE 
IRELAND 
ITALIA 
LUXEMBOURG 
NEDERLAND 
PORTUGAL 
UNITED KINGDOM 
ÔSTERREICH 
FINLAND 
SVERIGE (**) 
EUR15 1988 
(tonnes) 
205.030 
15.167 
19.100 
666.910 
1.834.893 
417.500 
13.500 
1.594.916 
30 
567.029 
63.893 
132.100 
30.145 
5.560.213 (%) 
3,7 
0,3 
0,3 
12,0 
33,0 
7.5 
0,2 
28,7 
0,0 
10,2 
1,1 
2,4 
0,0 
0,5 
0,0 
100,0 1989 
(tonnes) 
225.220 
17.000 
21.500 
728.050 
1.987.763 
421.700 
10.600 
2.018.230 
30 
620.782 
80.835 
134.000 
18.395 
28.822 
15.540 
6.328.467 (%) 
3,6 
0,3 
0,3 
11,5 
31,4 
6,7 
0,2 
31,9 
0,0 
9,8 
1,3 
2,1 
0,3 
0,5 
0,2 
100,0 1990 
(tonnes) 
268.400 
19.300 
14.500 
665.790 
2.024.695 
461.100 
10.500 
2.657.083 
35 
640.725 
86.706 
138.700 
18.045 
31.857 
17.887 
7.055.323 (%) 
3,8 
0,3 
0,2 
9,4 
28,7 
6,5 
0,1 
37,7 
0,0 
9,1 
1,2 
2,0 
0,3 
0,5 
0,3 
100,0 1991 
(tonnes) 
313.960 
17.500 
16.000 
710.700 
1.793.832 
527.300 
9.100 
2.759.091 
40 
636.149 
72.625 
137.300 
13.768 
30.014 
17.890 
7.055.269 (%) 
4,5 
0,2 
0,2 
10,1 
25,4 
7,5 
0,1 
39,1 
0,0 
9,0 
1,0 
1,9 
0,2 
0,4 
0,3 
100,0 1992 
(tonnes) 
329.500 
20.000 
31.306 
754.940 
1.880.143 
516.900 
11.700 
2.712.099 
52 
651.994 
64.267 
125.900 
12.330 
30.346 
17.890 
7.159.367 (%) 
4,6 
0.3 
0,4 
10,5 
26,3 
7,2 
0,2 
37,9 
0,0 
9,1 
0,9 
1.8 
0,2 
0,4 
0,2 
100,0 1993 
(tonnes) 
346.779 
14.666 
24.100 
784.850 
1.912.300 
643.400 
1.984.572 
65 
606.612 
221.103 
112.900 
13.620 
30.778 
18.889 
6.714.634 (%) 
5,2 
0,2 
0,4 
11.7 
28,5 
9,6 
29,6 
0,0 
9.0 
3.3 
1.7 
0,2 
0.5 
0,3 
100,0 1994 
(tonnes) 
309.334 
20.000 
20.700 
757.250 
1.786.807 
492.600 
2.149.074 
70 
540.577 
75.000 
111.000 
14.524 
34.608 
19.000 
6.330.544 (%) 
4.9 
0,3 
0,3 
12,0 
28,2 
7.8 
33,9 
0.0 
8.5 
1,2 
1,8 
0.2 
0.5 
0.3 
100,0 
(*): EUROSTAT - CRONOS figures for 1989, 1991,1992,1994 
(**): EUROSTAT - CRONOS figures for 1989, 1991, 1992 
'e;\.- s 
Withdrawals trends from 1990 to 1994 
BELGIQUE 
DANMARK 
DEUTSCHLAND 
ELLAS 
ESPAGNE 
FRANCE 
IRELAND 
ITALIA 
LUXEMBOURG 
NEDERLAND 
PORTUGAL 
U. KINGDOM 1990 
withdrawals 
18 
8 
62 
7783 
116367 
11123 production 
268400 
19300 
14500 
665790 
2024695 
461100 
10500 
2657083 
35 
640725 
86706 
138700 (%) 
0,01 
0,00 
0,00 
1,69 
4,38 
1,74 1991 
withdrawals production 
312 
0 
46 
19091 
71 
26407 
47 
9072 
0 
5227 
0 
0 313960 
17500 
16000 
710700 
1793832 
527300 
9100 
2759091 
40 
636149 
72625 
137300 (%) 
0,1 
2,7 
0,00 
5,01 
0,33 
0,82 1992 
withdrawals 
6543 
0 
312 
3169 
49 
25528 
120 
175792 
0 
41181 
0 
3 production 
329500 
20000 
31306 
754940 
1880143 
516900 
11700 
2712099 
52 
651994 
221103 
112900 (%) 
2,0 
0,4 
0,0 
4,9 
6,5 
6,3 1993 
withdrawals 
5444 
99 
5006 
2613 
11964 
89 
5852 
18894 
130 
0 production 
346779 
14666 
24100 
784850 
1912300 
643400 
1984572 
65 
606612 
221103 
112900 (%) 
1,57 
0,4 
0,6 
0,1 
1,9 
0,3 
3,1 
0,1 1994 
withd rawalsj prod uction 
7531 
59 
2977 
9996 
6644 
97 
13820 
8958 
138 309334 
20000 
20700 
757250 
1786807 
492600 
2149074 
70 
540577 
75000 
111000 (%) 
2,4 
0,3 
0,4 
0,6 
1,3 
0,6 
1,7 
0,2 
EUR-12 | 135361 6987534 1,94 60273 6993597 0,86 252697 7242637 3,5 50091 6651347 0,8 50220 6262412 0,8 
Source: Member states balance sheets, table drawn up by DG VI.E.1 
Uo 
OS 
P<..-e 
$ 8 000 -, 
7 000 4 Production and intra-Community trade - EUR 12 -
V) 
0) c c o 
o o o oproduction 
o Trade 
990 1991 1992 1993 1994 
Yield trends 
e-
25 000 Area of tomato production under cover in the EU 
20 000 
15 000 4— 
o 
SI 
5 000 4-M— WRk 
til!! 
wm [•UE 
jgBE 
I DES; 
QFR^ 
BIT ; 
QNL 
1990 1991 1992 1993 994 
30 T 
25 •; 
a— 
£ 20 
.c 15 
10 Consumption of fresh tomatoes in the EU (estimates) 
1990 1991 1992 1993 1CC4 
i *S V ** 
Variations in monthly prices in comparison with 1990 
- Spain -
£" o 
o I! 
o 
X 
o 1990 
1991 
1992 
1993 
1994 
200 
40 
20 
(WK^V Variations in monthly prices in comparison with 1990 
- Belgium 
jipi^i H 1990 
1991 
1992 
1993 
1994 
un 200 T 
G 
O 
O Variations in monthly prices in comparison with 1990 
- Netheriands-
ItvviL • 1990 
••-1991 ; 
-*-1992 : 
••-1993 
*-1994; 
Variations in average Community prices from March to June in comparison 
with 1990 
140 T 
130 4 
ES 
«NIL 
B5; 
1990 1991 1992 1993 CC4 
Scale of withdrawals of tomatoes from the market by Member State as a 
proportion of domestic production between 1990 et 1994 
Production, intra-Community Trade and investment aid 
- Belgium -
2 000 
1 500 4 
o o o 
DUU • production 
~- trade" • 
- aid 
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 
Do 2 000 4 
1 500 
o 
c 
I 
8 1 ooo 4 
500 4 Production, intra-Community trade and investment aid 
- Netherlands -
production 
ES . trade ; 
-•-..- aid 
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 
SP» 2 000 
1 500 
o o o 1 000 Production, intra-Community trade and investment aid 
- Spain -
g i CZZ3 production 
40 o. \^m - trade I 
à j—•— - aid ! 
990 1991 1992 1993 1994 
£:. 2 000 
1 500 
O 
C 
i 
i Production, intra-Community trade and investment aid 
- France -
—' production 
BB -trade [ 
•-•Tijd"" 
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 
Imports to the EU of tomatoes from Morocco 
£ 
o o o 
1SS0 1991 1992 1993 1994 
ANNEX III 
Selection criteria for investments in the processing and marketing of agricultural 
products under Regulation (EEC) No 866/90 
The selection criteria (Decision 94/342/EEC) relating to fruit and vegetables rule 
out the following investments: 
investments to increase marketing capacity for products where major 
withdrawals (attendant on surplus production) have been recorded in the 
areas concerned over the last three years; 
all investments resulting in an increase in processing capacity, except 
where equal capacity is abandoned in the same enterprise or in other 
specified enterprises, or in the case of special products where a significant 
growth in outlets has been shown. This ban does not apply in Objective 1 
regions where insufficient capacity has been demonstrated; 
investments in the production of tomato concentrate, peeled tomatoes, 
citrus juice, peaches in syrup and pears in syrup, except where they cover 
new processing capacity which is at least 20% below the total pre-existing 
capacity abandoned in the region concerned. 
Investments qualifying for assistance from the EAGGF Guidance Section under the 
Regulation must seek to achieve the following: 
the rationalization and development of packaging, preserving, treatment, 
processing and recycling of by-products or manufacturing residues; 
better procedure for placing on the market, including greater transparency 
in price formation; 
the application of new processing techniques, including the development of 
new products and by-products or the opening-up of new markets and 
innovative investments; 
improvement in the quality of products. 
55 
ISSN 0254-1475 
COM(96) 247 final 
DOCUMENTS 
EN 03 
Catalogue number : CB-CO-96-256-EN-C 
ISBN92-78-04816-X 
Office for Official Publications of the European Communities 
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51