The performance of the Brazilian tomato agroindustrial chain in the 90's was analysed. This was done taking into account the great socio-economic importance of this chain, principally its capacity to generate employment and create income in all sectors of the economy. The industrial processing of tomatoes alone generated $ 300 million in 1990 and ended the decade with US$ 500 million. Tomato processing averaged one million tons in the last five years. However, comparing the production of 2000 in relation to 1990, in spite of the reduction of 45% of cultivated area (year 2000), the yield increased more than 93%. Several factors contributed to the increase in productivity, as the concentration of the production in Savannah areas which are favored by the soil and climate; adoption of advanced technologies where open pollination cultivars were substituted for high yielding hybrids. In addition, new technologies of production were introduced in the tomato production process, including more efficient irrigation techniques associated to new formulations of plant nutrition. Another favorable factor was the more efficient interaction between the production process and industrial sectors. The importation of tomato paste was significantly reduced in 1999, giving space to the internal production. The industries innovated with the release of more practical packages and less concentrated products with greater added value, such as sauces.
Lycopersicon esculentum; agrindustry; new technology; tomato pulp
