Tomato sauce is one of the ingredients that represent Italy. It plays an 
important part in traditional recipes and some of the most popular dishes in 
the world such as spaghetti and pizza. Italy is the third largest producer of 
tomato sauce in the world, behind the USA and China, with 5.26 million tons of 
tomatoes processed per year and a turnover that reaches 3.5 billion euros, of 
which 1.8 billion from exports (Iri data).

In the first eight months of 2020, the export of tomato derivatives recorded a 
growth of 2.64% in volume and 9.44% in value (Istat data), which demonstrates 
the important foreign appreciation for the Italian tomato. A positive trend is 
also confirmed in internal consumption, which increased both in volume (+ 9.7%) 
and in value (+ 16.4%) compared to the same period of the previous year (Iri 
data).

The difference in 2020 is the Asian market which recorded an increase of + 6% 
compared to 2019, the result of investments and new commercial agreements with 
between Europe and Asia. A fundamental step also made possible by promotional 
campaigns such as The European Art of Taste, funded by the European Union and 
CSO Italy, to spread and promote the high quality of Italian production.

Processed vegetables such as tomatoes are not only a tasty ingredient to give 
recipes a unique taste, but are real allies for health, as they are 
cholesterol-free and low in carbohydrates. Tomato sauce provides excellent 
levels of vitamin C and pro vitamin A, in particular of lycopene and is a 
suitable food for all diets. It has no contraindications for metabolic diseases 
and overweight and does not contain lactose and gluten. The tomato sauces 
produced and certified in the European Union are a guarantee of safety, in 
which the best raw materials are chosen directly from the most suitable areas.

The European Art of Taste project, funded for 3.7 million euros by CSO Italy 
and the European Union, represents the main Italian producers of transformer 
vegetables such as Conserve Italia which, together with the other leading 
companies (Oranfrizer, Mazzoni Group, Jingold, KingFruit, Joinfruit, Rk 
Growers) are known all over the world for their quality and their fruit and 
vegetables.

For further information and details: www.europeanartoftaste.com; 
www.europeanartoftaste.ch
 
SOURCE: The European Art of Taste