Exports of Italian canned tomatoes increased by 20 percent in sales value in the U.S. in 2015, according to an analysis by farmers' association Coldiretti.
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The information was presented at a meeting of ANICAV, the Italian association of canned vegetable industries. The U.S. is the biggest non-EU destination for these Italian products.
Italian processed tomato sales worldwide grew by 6 percent in the first eight months of 2015 compared to the previous year.
"This is due to the economic recovery, the favourable exchange rate and the propulsive effect of Expo," said President of Coldiretti Roberto Moncalvo recalling that U.S. first lady Michelle Obama on her visit to Italy said that you can make a delicious meal with a packet of pasta, tomatoes and basil in just 30 minutes.
"The Italian tomato has all the qualities to grasp the new international trends in consumption which recognise the identity of Brand Italy and the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet of which it is a key component.
"In order not to squander the heritage of credibility gained we need to work on legality and transparency with the extension to all derivatives, from concentrate to sauces, of the obligation to indicate the origin of the tomato, already in force in Italy for sieved tomatoes.
WThis requirement is in response to the 567 percent rise in the first eight months of imports of tomato paste from China, which has become the biggest supplier.
"This is also without forgetting the need to overcome the customs barriers still present in some major countries like the U.S., where competitiveness on canned Italian tomatoes is limited by the heavy duties that are even more unacceptable in the light of the opening of the free trade talks," he concluded.
According to Coldiretti's analysis, processed tomatoes are among the leaders of the Italian food and agriculture industry, with a strong propensity to exports, given that around 60 percent of the derivatives go to international markets. ■