The Tomato Producers’ Organisation is made up of tomato farmers, producers and distributors, as well as by-product manufacturers.
Tomato Producers' Organisation (TPO) is dedicated to providing members with both local and international market trends, cultivation and crop management guides, and access to advice from industry experts.
Tomato production in South Africa employs between 25 000 and 28 000 people a year, with increased numbers during the summer months when production volumes are higher. Between 83% and 87% of the annual crop is sold through the national and regional fresh produce markets, with a limited quantity delivered directly to supermarket chains. A small percentage of South African tomatoes are bought by cross-border traders who sell produce in Lesotho, Swaziland, Mozambique, Botswana and Namibia.
South Africa is regarded as a leader in the use of best practices for tomato production. The industry is not, however, without its challenges. High input costs, fluctuating market prices, a shortage of good quality irrigation water, unreliable electricity supply, labour issues, and poor road infrastructure top the list of challenges that need to be addressed.
Spearheaded by the Tomato Producers’ Organisation, programmes are run to improve the local industry’s sustainability and competitiveness. Furthermore, the organisation is involved in the development of small-scale and rural tomato farming operations and offers much-needed resources to farmers who support their communities with fresh produce.
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...