The Tomato Producers’ Organisation is invested in the tomato industry of South Africa and supports both commercial and small-scale tomato farmers.
Table tomatoes are one of the most cultivated crops in the world, several hundred varieties of tomato available.
Tomatoes found their way to South Africa via Europe from their home territory of Peru and Ecuador in South America. The early Mexicans domesticated tomatoes, but it was only in the 18th century that it became widely accepted in European households.
The wide variation in climate in South Africa allows the planting and production of fresh tomatoes in open fields in various parts of the country all year. Although tomatoes are generally a warm-season crop, they can be farmed from the Western Cape all the way to Limpopo in the north. South Africa’s annual tomato production is around 600 000 tonnes. The country grows three main types of tomatoes, namely round or fresh tomatoes, roma tomatoes destined for processing, and cherry tomatoes. Most tomatoes are grown under irrigation.
Tomatoes are rich in lycopene and Vitamin C, and are used in various ways. Ripe tomatoes are consumed fresh and are also fried or used in cooking. They are also sundried or processed into tomato sauce, puree, powder and soup or as canned tomatoes, chutney and jam.
Table tomatoes are one of the most cultivated crops in the world and there are several hundred varieties of tomato available. The fruit is r...