WHAT ARE TOMATOES?
Solanum Lycopersicum is the scientific name for the tomato plant. The tomato is a common produce item that is found in households worldwide. Did you know that the tomato is not a vegetable, but actually a fruit that belongs to the berry family? The plant produces a red fleshy fruit that is edible and quite frankly, delicious.
WHERE DO TOMATOES COME FROM?
The origin of the tomato plant can be traced into the Andes Mountains of western South America and Central America. The plant is said to have originated near modern-day Peru and Ecuador. The plant is also believed to have been domesticated in Mexico. It was later introduced into Europe by the Spanish in the 16th century. In Europe, the Italians and the Spanish were the first to adopt the tomato as a source of food. In France and Northern Europe, the tomato was grown as an ornamental plant. The locals believed the plant to be poisonous and not safe for consumption. Indeed, the roots and leaves contains the neurotoxin solanine, so they were not 100% wrong. According to Worldmapper, tomatoes are harvested in more than 170 countries around the world.
WHO ARE THE BIGGEST EXPORTERS OF TOMATOES?
According to the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC), tomatoes grossed $9.08B within the year of 2019. The top exporter was Mexico at an astounding value of $2.19B. The next biggest exporters were the Netherlands, Spain, Morocco, and Canada who exported $1.82B, $1.09B, $828M, and $370M dollars worth of tomatoes respectively. Despite these staggering statistics, tomatoes only contributed to 0.05% of the world trade in 2019.
WHO ARE THE BIGGEST IMPORTERS OF TOMATOES?
The biggest importer of tomatoes in the year 2019 was the United States; importing tomatoes worth approximately $2.5B. The next biggest importer was Germany, who imported $1.46B worth of tomatoes, France ($719M), Russia ($611M), and lastly the UK ($607M). According to the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC), Kyrgyzstan was the fastest growing market for tomato imports between the year of 2018 to 2019. followed by Russia, Spain, France, and then Vietnam in that order. Coupled with other relevant data, this shows that the tomato business proves to be a booming investment with rapid and a high rate of success.
HOW DO YOU GROW TOMATOES?
Tomatoes are one of the simplest crops to grow, and can be cultivated in your backyard or on well-constructed plots. On average, you can expect a yield of 2.75kg to 5kg per plant depending on the type chosen. The solanum lycopersicum, also referred to as the African Brown Tomato, produces approximately twelve copper toned fruits per plant. According to Gardeners World, tomatoes should be planted 1cm deep and approximately 40 cm apart. For best results, make sure the seed is completely covered and is in an area that gets a lot of sunshine. More sun equals plumper fruits. Lastly, don’t forget to water regularly! In conditions with extremely high temperatures, provide the tomato plant partial shade. Tomatoes grow best in soil that has a ph. level between 6 and 7.
HOW DO YOU HARVEST TOMATOES?
The growth duration of the tomato depends on the cultivar but ranges from sixty to one hundred days. It is best to leave tomato fruits on the plants so they can ripen naturally. Leaving the fruits on the plants also improves the flavor upon consumption. Towards the end of the plant’s cycle, prune off the older leaves as this provides more light for the plant and it also prevents grey mold from taking hold. Picking the fruits to ripen indoors is not as favorable for the plant, but may be necessary should the weather turn cold.
WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH TOMATOES?
The tomato has various uses within the kitchen and can be found in a lot of dishes. Tomatoes can be boiled, fried, baked, grilled and even eaten raw in salads and sandwiches. This fruit is a major source in our diet for the antioxidant, Lycopene, which has been linked with many health benefits including reduced risks of heart ailments and cancer. According to healthline.com, tomatoes are also a great source of vitamin C, vitamin K, potassium and folate.
HOW DO YOU GET STARTED IN THE TOMATO FARMING BUSINESS?
The tomato business is relatively easy to get started in, and can be a productive venture. Despite the high demand for this good, entry into this market is actually quite easy and one is almost guaranteed success. The seeds of tomato can be taken from just a few of fruits you can buy in the market or local grocery store. If you are in Ghana, you can also purchase tomatoes seeds at a reduced price through the Planting for Food and Jobs program. If you are interested in getting started with this venture, shoot us an email at info@blaxtar.net. Our team is highly experienced and well-versed in providing organization development services. We would be happy to talk to you and your team about cultivating and selling this in-demand produce.
