Tomatoes are among the most consumed vegetables in Romania, with a production of approximately 750,000 tons in 2024, according to INS data. However, Romania imports over 100,000 tons of tomatoes annually, mainly from Turkey, Greece, and the Netherlands, to meet off-season demand. The value of imports exceeded 120 million euros in 2024.

The average annual per capita consumption is 38 kg, and the preference for Romanian tomatoes remains high, especially during the season. The "Tomata" program, relaunched in 2023, supported more than 17,000 farmers, but its impact on reducing imports is still limited.

The main challenges for growers are high energy costs for greenhouses, the pressure of external competition, and the need to comply with quality and traceability standards. Solutions focus on expanding protected cultivation areas, modernizing irrigation technologies, and strengthening cooperatives to secure better market access.

In the long term, Romania has the potential to reduce its dependence on imports through investments in production and storage infrastructure, as well as by diversifying the varieties demanded by consumers.

(Photo: Freepik)