October 9 2007, 10:32

Imports cover around 98% of Russia's need for tomato paste

Louis Chirnside, the President of World Processing Tomato Council, informed CIS produce business periodical "Agrooglyad: Vegetables and Fruits" weekly that, as of today, Russia is one of the most attractive markets in the world for tomato paste producers.

Despite of the relatively low levels of tomato paste consumption in Russia per capita, almost 98% of all tomato paste consumed in the country are supplied from the other countries. Russian producers of ketchups, sauces, tomato juice and other products of tomato paste processing are actively using imported tomato paste; at the same time, the production of the own raw materials is practically not developed. According to the opinion of Mr. Chirnside, Ukraine is able to become one of the major suppliers of tomato paste to Russia, to which market a considerable part of ketchups and sauces of Ukrainian origin has been already supplied. Although, our country still imports up to 50% of the total volumes of consumed tomato paste at the present moment.

California, USA, remains the leader of tomato paste production in the world; twice as much tomato paste is produced there than in China and Italy, which occupy the second place. The leaders are also Iran, Turkey, Spain, Brazil, Portugal, Greece, Chili, Tunis and Canada.

You will find out the perspectives of Russian fruit&vegetable market from the leading experts of this industry during the second international conference "Fruit&Vegetable Business of Russia 2007. Wealth of New Opportunities", to be held on the 23rd-25th of October 2007 on the territory of "Expocenter" in Moscow. The leading produce companies from Russia, Ukraine, Holland, Italy, Poland and other countries have already confirmed their participation. Join us!