The purpose of this work is to provide information about technological problems that constitute challenges to the maximization of technical and the economic efficiency of the Brazilian chain of tomato processing. In the 90's the Brazilian chain of the processing tomato showed expressive performance. However, there are several factors involved in the tomato production systems that still impair the optimization of the processing tomato production. Among those factors we detected not well adapted tomato cvs. to mechanical harvest besides being susceptible to diseases and insects, depreciating the fruits quality for processing causing decline indexes in the relationship matter/ processed products. In addition, the presence of fungus was observed in the concentrated pulp, tomato extracts and in other tomato derived products. These problems could be solved through better cultural practices, including better irrigation techniques (conventional system with central pivot and drip irrigation), fertilizer levels, culture rotation, more adequate systems in the preparation of transplant and mechanized harvest, better weeds control and integrated pest and disease management.
Lycopersicon esculentum; cultivar; growing practices; nutraceutics; processing products