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- Sophie
AMITOM crop update as of 9 September 2026
Bulgaria
The weather is currently favourable (around 30°C) in the main tomato-producing regions (Stara Zagora, Plovdiv area). Some rain is expected in the west in the coming days. Yield is approximately 80% of forecast, about 10% lower than in 2025. Brix is maintained around 5.The harvest is expected to finish around September 20th.
Mite infestations are a continuing problem. The cost of alternative pesticides is very high, making production less profitable. Collective European action — possibly through a tomato industry working group or round table — should be undertaken to present the issue to the EU Commission and seek solutions for effective and affordable mite control.
France
As of the end of last week, France had processed 108,000 tonnes, representing approximately 83% of the revised forecast of 130,000 to 132,000 tonnes (74% of the initial forecast), representing a reduction of around 12%. Current weather includes light rain and wind, but harvesting has not stopped, with temperatures expected to return above 30°C next week. Brix is approximately 5.08 but the defect rate is 8.3%, which is significant, and may be partially due to a growing problem with aeculops lycopersici mites (previously only seen in greenhouses, now appearing in open fields), compounding the effects of heat waves and sanitary stress. This mirrors issues reported in Italy and Spain via Tomato News and would need to be addressed by governments.
The season expected to conclude around September 25th.
Greece
The crop is progressing very well. Factories in the south have already closed. Central and northern regions expect to finish by the end of next week. More than 90% has already been processed. The crop turned out better than expected despite some adverse weather at the start of the season, which fortunately did not affect significant areas. Brix is around 5 or slightly above. Quality is very good.
The forecast remains unchanged. Rain is expected next Sunday–Tuesday but is not a concern as the campaign is nearly complete.
Hungary
The processing season has progressed steadily over the past few weeks, with generally good fruit quality and favourable soluble solids levels (around 5.4). The harvesting and processing pace has remained consistent, despite the somewhat smaller planted area compared with previous years.
At some processors the processing campaign has now been completed. Across the country, the final phase of the season is currently underway. Following a short interruption in some areas, processing has resumed and the remaining crops are being harvested and delivered at a steady pace. The overall campaign is expected to be completed around mid-September.
Based on the progress so far, the forecast for the total Hungarian processed tomato volume has been revised to approximately 65,000 tonnes.
Iran
There is no change from the previous report.
The overall situation remains positive, with the season now moving forward at a faster pace.
Italy
In the North, the latest OI Nord figures for week 35 show cumulative deliveries of 2,3 million tonnes (payable weight) as of 30 August. The campaign remains the most advanced the North has ever recorded at this date, but the lead over the average is narrowing quickly and we are having a sharp decline in September.
Quality continues to reflect the summer heat. Soluble solids (average at 4.87 °Brix) below and easing further week on week (4.76 in week 35). Defect rate is 4.93% and payment index is 94%.
Organic tomatoes reached about 208,000 tonnes with brix 4.88, about 65% of the contracts, and the harvest is coming quickly to the end
On the weather, after several weeks running well above the seasonal norm, maximum temperatures remain elevated. The week of 24–30 August brought scattered rain generally light but heavier in the Parma and Ferrara areas, with localised but intense hailstorms on Friday 28 across parts of Emilia-Romagna and the Lombardia with damages on late crop tomatoes. From today (9th September) and in the next days we will receive rain in North and Center Italy halting the harvest for some days.
From a POs survey it has been reported that at the end of August the surface still to be harvested is from 20 to 30%, with possible lower yields on this fraction.
The current working forecast for the North is maintained at around 3.25 million tonnes, with clear downside risk on the late crop.
In the Centre and South, the campaign is progressing, but delivery rates are much slower than expected. Tomatoes are struggling to ripen. Several factories have begun closing after reaching 85–90% of their scheduled targets. By August 30th, 2.06 million tonnes had been processed.
Companies are extremely concerned about rising costs, particularly energy. Natural gas is close to €80/MWh, and electricity and diesel costs are over 100% higher than pre-war levels. Transport costs for fresh tomatoes in the south are a major burden, exceeding €30 per tonne due to the large distances between fields in Puglia and processing factories. Some factories preferred to stop operations rather than run at low capacity with very high costs, given that the market is unlikely to compensate for these costs.
Portugal
After heavy rain two weeks ago that halted operations for approximately four to five days, the following week brought mild/cool temperatures. Last week returned to summer conditions (up to 40°C, stabilizing around 30–32°C). As of Monday 7 September, approximately 63% of the crop had been processed. This is broadly in line with normal progress for this point in the season, accounting for the rain-related delay. Brix levels remain low and are expected to be a characteristic of this season. Quality in new fields being entered is very good. Yield results vary significantly between fields.
The next two weeks are critical. Some fields may continue until the end of September, though quantities will be lower. The forecast remains unchanged; a further update will be provided at the next meeting.
Serbia
Harvesting is going well, with dry, hot weather, and as of today 62% of the harvest has been done. The last rain was on 2nd July, so it is now the 68th day without rain. The quality of the tomatoes is good with average brix of 5.46, and average colour of 2.1.
The average yield was 75t/ha on early hybrids, and 100t/ha with mid/late hybrids, although some producers hit with hail (even twice) and without water supply, are down to 40t/ha. Altogether the yield will be between 75 and 80t/ha.
The harvest should finish around 1st October.
Spain
In Andalucia the last factory will close tomorrow. Yields were below expectations, as already reflected in the previously revised forecast.
In Extremadura a couple of factories will already close this week, and most of the others will close between the 20th and 25th of September. Yields are also there below expectations, for similar reasons documented in recent Tomato News reporting. It is difficult to estimate right now the final production, so far we keep the forecast of 2,6 million tonnes.
Tunisia
The processing season is nearing the end with only 3 plants still operating with a daily input of 1,200 tonnes. To date 836,000 tonnes have been processed.
Turkiye
The crop in the south finished approximately one to two weeks ago. Other regions are progressing slowly toward the end. Factories are still operating at roughly 80–90% capacity, with no sharp decline yet. Quality of incoming raw material remains surprisingly good — tomatoes are red and fruits are firm. At least 15 more days of production are expected, with volumes slowly reducing. The weather forecast is mild, which helps tomatoes remain in the fields, and no rain is currently expected.
The forecast maintained at the previously reduced level of 2.2 million tonnes.
Ukraine
To date approximately 30% of tomatoes have been processed. Field yields are in line or slightly above expectations and factory yields are good. This year quality is perfect (far above historical average for early tomatoes). Some rains did cause some interruptions, but the biggest interruptions are linked to the Russian attacks on Ukrainian civilians.
If mid season varieties perform similar to early season, the forecast of 550,000 tonnes will definitely be reached.