According to the latest report from the Minister of Agriculture, tomato acreage will be stable in France this year with production potential reaching 600,000 tons (1,974 hectares in greenhouses and 375 hectares in fields). Despite the increasing modernity of greenhouses and a wider range of tomatoes, harvest will have seen a slight decrease at the start of the year.
Whilst vine tomatoes make up most of the offer, representing 64% and 75% of acreage amongst the sectors largest operators, a diversity in varieties has increased over the last few years and market share has increased up to 25% to 36% amongst the large operators and 5-20% amongst medium-sized operators (excluding specialised operators, notably in small fruits, which can reach up to 85-100% of potential). Vine tomato production should increase by +5% this year thanks to the increased modernity of greenhouses. Producers may choose this variety for the first few years of setting up their greenhouses, then turn to other varieties, notably small fruits. Cherry tomato acreage has been stable but a decrease in other small varieties, such as cocktail tomatoes, has been remarked. Pineapple tomato acreage is expected to see less growth compared to the strong increase in 2016, green tomato varieties are struggling to keep up and acreage for Aumoniere tomatoes seems to have decreased.
