Market Trends of north america tomato seed Industry
The increasing adoption of protected cultivation and rising imports of tomatoes are limiting the expansion of open field cultivation
- North America is a significant producer of tomatoes. The area cultivated under tomatoes was recorded at 227.1 thousand hectares in 2022, which decreased by 4.9% between 2017 and 2022. This decrease in acreage is associated with growing tomatoes in protected cultivation, which allows for more controlled and efficient production. This has resulted in a decreased use of open field land for tomato cultivation in the region. However, In 2022, tomatoes held a 5.0% share of the region's crop area for vegetables. This is because tomatoes are one of the most widely consumed vegetables in the region, and their production is economically valuable for many farmers in the region.
- The United States is the largest tomato producer in North America. However, the cultivation area in the country decreased by 10.6% between 2017 and 2022 because increasing imports of tomatoes impacted the demand for domestically grown tomatoes, and advances in agricultural technology and practices allowed farmers to achieve higher yields with fewer acres in the country. Furthermore, Mexico is a major producer of tomatoes in the region. It accounted for 40.3% with 91.5 thousand hectares in 2022. The cultivable land decreased by 1.6% between 2017 and 2022 due to a shift toward protected cultivation.
- In Canada, the area under tomato cultivation accounted for only 2.8% of the area under North American tomato cultivationis. This is due to the soils and the climatic conditions for open cultivation not being suitable for tomato fruits. Hence, protected cultivation is highly followed in the country. However, the demand for tomatoes is increasing, mainly from the processing industry. Thus, the cultivation area is estimated to increase during the forecast period.
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Seeds resistant to viral and fungal diseases, long-shelf life, and quality attributes traits are driving the tomato seed market
- Tomato is an important vegetable crop widely cultivated in the region. Tomatoes are grown mainly in open fields. Traits resistant to viral diseases such as tomato mosaic virus, tomato yellow leaf curl virus, blossom end rot, powdery mildew, wilt diseases, and nematodes are popularly used for cultivation in the region.
- It has a limited shelf life under ambient conditions, is a highly perishable fruit, and changes continuously after harvesting. Longer shelf life traits help prevent early decay and increase transport capability. Other traits such as uniform ripening, early production, suitability for greenhouse and heated cultivation, less susceptibility to fruit dropping, string against cracking, high lycopene content, and other quality traits such as size, shape, and color of fruits are popular in the region. For instance, major companies breeding and marketing tomato traits are Enza Zaden, Sakata Seeds, Bayer AG, Bejo Zaden BV, KWS SAAT, Takii seeds, Syngenta, BASF SE, and Rijk Zwaan Zaadhandel BV.
- Moreover, varieties with large fruit, red or pink, are mostly favored by consumers in the region. This has led to increased usage of quality attributes traits among the farmers to produce improved tomato varieties for both open fields and protected cultivation. Companies such as Rijk Zwaan Zaadhandel BV and Bayer AG offer these seed varieties.
- The seed companies are producing new tomato seed varieties with traits such as wider adaptability and resistance to diseases to meet the growing demand of growers, and it is expected to help in the market's growth during the forecast period.
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OTHER KEY INDUSTRY TRENDS COVERED IN THE REPORT
- Hybrid breeding is highly used in the North American tomato seed market due to the growing demand for seeds with enhanced resistance to common diseases
