Market Information

Q1.      What is the level of British tomato production per year?

A1.      The production of British tomatoes amounts to over 100,000 metric tonnes per year.  This figure represents nearly one third of the total volume of tomatoes sold in the country through the year and over half of this amount is sold in the summer.

Q2.      How many tonnes of fresh tomatoes are consumed each year?

A2.      Total consumption of fresh tomatoes is therefore around 420,000 tonnes.  This means that with a population of 59 millions, we eat 5oz (140g) of fresh tomatoes per person per week or 16lbs (7.25kg) per person per year.  This is the equivalent of two British Classic tomatoes per week, or more than 100 per year.  This is higher than previous estimates but still very low compared to other European  countries, especially those in the Mediterranean.

Q3.      How many hectares of glasshouses are used for tomatoes in Britain?

A3.      There are 300 hectares (740 acres) of glasshouses that are used to produce tomatoes in Britain.

Q4.      How many people are currently employed in the British tomato industry?

A4.      Approximately 3,500 people are currently employed in the British tomato industry.