Israel's tomato exports, which have never really represented a major chunk of the country's agricultural shipments, are set to fall slightly this year, according to the Vegetable Division of the Plants Production and Marketing Board.
Official figures put standard tomato export volumes at 5,000 tonnes for 2012/13 – exports typically range between 1,000 and 10,000 tonnes – while cherry tomato exports are set to drop sharply, down from 20,000 tonnes in recent years to 8,000 tonnes.
From 148 cherry tomato growers for eport in 2010/11 there are now around 80 growers, with the main factor being, simply, that the prices achieved are less economically viable to producers than in the past.
In terms of export markets, Russia has become a preferred target for Israel and, presently, shipments are split fairly evenly between wetsern Europe and Russia.
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