Tomato
Spain – a leading producer of Tomato
Spain is one of Europe’s key fresh tomato producers and exporters, especially from Almería (greenhouses) and Granada, Murcia, Alicante, Valencia , Extremadura and the Canary Islands. Tomatoes are primarily classified by fruit type, with individual varieties selected to meet customer specifications for size, colour, flavour, shelf life, and resistance.
Production is highly structured for year – round supply, but export peaks in winter and spring . The tomato season starts in September with good supply until June, then lower availability and less export during the summer months.
Varieties
Round
Standard “salad tomato”, smooth, uniform shape. Balanced flavour and good shelf life. Vine - harvested and sold still attached to vine. Strong aroma and freshness perception. Higher visual quality, better flavour, more premium. Plum - oblong shape, firmer flesh. Low water content, firm texture, good transport resistance. Beef - big size, juicy interior. Mostly for domestic and nearby markets.
Vine
Harvested and sold still attached to vine. Strong aroma and freshness perception. Higher visual quality, better flavour, more premium.
Plum
Oblong shape, firmer flesh. Low water content, firm texture, good transport resistanc
Beef
big size, juicy interior. Mostly for domestic and nearby markets.
Cherry
Cherry round
Small round tomato , high sweetnes.
Cherry vine
Small roun d toma to still attac hed to vi ne , high sweetness.
Cherry plum
Small oval shaped tomato , high sweetnes.
Cocktail
Slightly larger than cherry , can be round, oval or plum shaped.
Harvest season by Variety
Sizes and packaging
- Tomato es are generally graded by diameter (mm) using EU standards .
- For cherry tomatoes, sizing is often based on cluster weight or fruit count per tray, not diameter alone.
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Packaging formats
- Round, wine and plum tomatoes: loose in 5 - 6 kg box.
- Cherries ; 200 - 500g punnets, or loose in 4 - 3 kg box.
- Flow - wrapped or tray - packed
| Diameter (mm) |
|---|
| 47-57 mm |
| 57-67 mm |
| 67-82 mm |
| 82+ mm |