The value of U.S. imports of Mexican tomatoes took a big jump in 2022-23, trade numbers show.
U.S. tomato imports from Mexico from October 2022 through September 2023 were $2.7 billion, a 16% increase from 2022, and 17% more than 2021.
In 2023, total U.S. imports of fresh tomatoes were valued at $3.2 billion. Of that total, 86.1% came from Mexico, according to the USDA. That share of total tomato imports is up compared with 2010, when Mexico’s share of total U.S. fresh tomatoes was 82.6%.
Over the past 15 years, Mexico has strengthened its dominant position as the leading source of U.S. fresh tomato imports.
The rise in value for U.S. imports of Mexican tomatoes from October 2022 through September 2023 reflected an increase in unit value and volume, according to the USDA.
At $1,581, the per metric unit value for Mexican tomato imports increased by 11.6% in 2022-23 compared with the previous season, indicating rising prices per metric ton.
The import volume for U.S. imports of Mexican tomatoes increased to 1.845 million metric tons in 2022-23, up 3.9% from the previous season.
