The Australian Processing Tomato Research Council represents the biosecurity interests of the producers of processing tomatoes. They are members of Plant Health Australia and signatories to the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed. Their responsibilities include:
- biosecurity planning and implementation at the national and farm levels
- liaising with federal and state governments on trade issues
- funding and supporting biosecurity initiatives
- participating in national committees and response efforts in an emergency.
Industry overview
In 2017–18, Australian processing tomato production was valued at approximately $20.3 million (LVP). A total of 211,961 tonnes of tomatoes were delivered to three processors, a seven per cent decline from the previous year. All of the 2,347 planted hectares were harvested, despite a severe outbreak of bacterial speck disease early in the season due to weather conditions.
Heinz varieties make up the bulk of crops grown in Australia. Most crops are transplanted, and for the first time, 100 per cent of the production area was irrigated using sub-surface drip lines.
Australia consumes around 605,000 tonnes of processed tomatoes, with local production supplying approximately one third of this demand. The majority of imports come from Italy and the United States.
Value of production and distribution
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Annual value of processing tomato production, 2007–18

Distribution of processing tomato production by state and territory, 2017–18 (based on LVP)

Biosecurity plan
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Biosecurity Plan for the Tomato Industry
Biosecurity planning provides a mechanism for the papaya industry, government and other relevant stakeholders to assess current biosecurity practices and future biosecurity needs. Planning identifies procedures that can be put in place to reduce the chance of pests reaching our borders or minimise the impact if a pest incursion occurs.
The Biosecurity Plan for the Tomato Industry outlines key threats to the industry, risk mitigation plans, identification and categorisation of exotic pests and contingency plans. For a copy, please contact PHA on 02 6215 7700 or email [email protected]
Pests
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Exotic pests (not in Australia)
The following is a list of high priority exotic pests of tomatoes. These pests were identified during the development of the Biosecurity Plan for the Tomato Industry in consultation with industry, government and scientists. They have been assessed as high priority pests based on their potential to enter, establish, and spread in Australia (eg environmental factors, host range, vectors) and the cost to industry of control measures.
PHA has a range of fact sheets, contingency plans and diagnostic protocols relevant to these pests. Pest risk review documents are also available for some pests. Please contact PHA on 02 6215 7700 or email [email protected] for more information.
Endorsed National Diagnostic Protocols are available from the National Plant Biosecurity Diagnostic Network webpage.
Other pests
The following is a list of documents for other exotic and endemic pests of processing tomatoes. Please note that this is not a complete list of pests: rather it includes pests for which documents exist in the Pest Information Document Database.
Some of the documents presented here are not tailored to the tomato industry and are included for information only.