Tomato exports in the south and south-east of Gran Canaria are already a thing of the past. Between 2018 and 2023, tomato production and exports in the south of Gran Canaria experienced a significant reduction due to several factors. The businessmen from Las Palmas who own the sector are entering other businesses such as renewable energy, which is regulated and receives official aid. The grandchildren of the tomato growers will at least earn something better than the misery that this product generated.
The future of the tomato sector in the Canary Islands depends on its ability to innovate and diversify. While Morocco continues to expand its production and exports, the Canary Islands are seeking to reorient part of their activity towards other crops such as peppers and avocados, which represents a survival strategy for local farmers affected by external competition.
In 2018, exports were approximately 65.000 tonnes in Gran Canaria. Covid19 ended up placing production at approximately 50.000 tonnes and in 2021 it reached approximately 45.000 tonnes. The recovery is slow. Logistical restrictions and competition with producers closer to European markets, such as Morocco, will continue to have a negative impact and exports continued to fall due to rising input costs, such as water and energy, and increasing pressure from cheaper imports from North Africa: 38.000 tonnes
The downward trend continued, although demand remained stable in traditional markets such as the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. However, the low price of Moroccan tomatoes continued to erode competitiveness. The estimate for 2024 is set at 35.000 tonnes. For 2024, exports are expected to continue to decline due to persistent competition and difficulties related to climate change and water scarcity.
The causes include competition from Morocco, the impact of Brexit and the COVID-19 health crisis, which will affect both demand and production costs. Despite efforts to reconvert the sector and support it with European and local subsidies, the area devoted to tomato cultivation in the Canary Islands has decreased, with a focus on other products.
In comparison, Morocco has significantly strengthened its position on the international tomato market over the same period. In 2022, Moroccan tomato exports grew by 35% compared to the previous year, reaching a value of 10.411 billion dirhams (approximately 950 million euros). Morocco has established itself as one of the world's leading exporters, with France, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands as its largest buyers.
Direct competition between the Canary Islands and Morocco is particularly critical in the European market. Morocco has taken advantage of its cost advantage and the elimination of tariffs to access new markets, which has put pressure on Canary Island producers, who cannot compete on price, especially after the departure of the United Kingdom.
