Which Countries Produce the Most Tomatoes?
Tomatoes are one of the most popular foods on Earth. Even though a lot of people intrinsically associate tomatoes with vegetables because of how they taste, tomatoes are actually a fruit because they have seeds. Tomatoes are used in everything from ketchup to pasta sauce and from salads to food garnishes. Therefore, there is a tremendous amount of demand for tomatoes, and there are some countries that produce more tomatoes than others.
For example, China produces more tomatoes than any other country on Earth. In 2017, China produced approximately 60 million tons of tomatoes in a single year. This is more than twice the number of tomatoes produced by the second country, India. India produced approximately 20 million tons of tomatoes in 2017.
Does the United States Produce a Lot of Tomatoes?
Yes, the United States produces a lot of tomatoes as well. The United States is the fifth largest producer of tomatoes on the planet. Unfortunately, the number of tomatoes produced by the United States is gradually dropping. In 2016, the United States produced close to 13 million tons of tomatoes. Then, in 2017, the United States produced approximately 10 million tons of tomatoes.
There are some people who are wondering why the tomato production of the United States is dropping. Some people feel like it is a fluke, while other people feel like it is a result of supply chain issues. Some people are concerned that weather changes are playing a role in tomato production as well. Regardless, it will be interesting to see if tomato production in the United States will rebound.
Does Europe Produce a Lot of Tomatoes?
There are some countries in Europe that produce tomatoes as well, but tomatoes tend to thrive in warmer climates. Therefore, countries located in Europe may have a difficult time producing a lot of tomatoes. Italy is responsible for producing more tomatoes than any other European country. Because Italy extends closer to the equator than other countries in Europe, it should come as no surprise that it produces a lot of tomatoes. Italy produces approximately six million tons of tomatoes every year. Because Italy is known for its pasta, it should come as no surprise that Italy is also great at producing tomatoes.
Where Else Are Tomatoes Produced?
There are a few other countries with tropical weather that are also great at growing tomatoes. For example, Mexico had a lot of worms, and it produces a lot of tomatoes as well. It is the 10th largest producer of tomatoes in the world. It grows approximately four million tons of tomatoes every year. Brazil is also a very large producer of tomatoes. It is right behind Mexico on the list, and it produces approximately four million tons of tomatoes every year. Other countries that also grow a lot of tomatoes include Pakistan, Egypt, and Iran. There is still a lot of demand for tomatoes, and it will be interesting to see if production increases moving forward.