Processing tomato situation and perspectives in Yugoslavia

Abstract

In Yugoslavia, of the total tomato production (250 000 tons on about 22 000 ha) 15% are processed, production for local market is 40% and production for home consumption is 45%. Tomato production for processing is located on the north of state, in Vojvodina and in the basins of river Sava and Morava (Pannonian region), in continental favorable climatic conditions (long warm period). About 30% oh the tomato processing production in this region is organized by the so-called combinats, on surface (average for each of 20-50 ha) irrigated and machine harvested, with high yield. In the other parts of Yugoslavia production is organized by farmers, on the small plots (0.2 -0.3 ha) in cooperation with processing industry. In the reason of that, there are grown different cultivars, and the raw material for processing is very unequal. Cultivars grown 10 years before has been foreign processing cultivars (UC 105, Super California, Toco 70, Intermech, Slumac, Arizona, Red Ball and etc.) and also Yugoslav cultivars (SP-109 and Narvik SPF). Now, from the reason of had economic situation, farmers grow 90% Yugoslav cultivars. These cultivars are used for direct sowing or transplanting, and farmers for fresh market apply culivars of large fruits. The main processing product is concentrate in three types: double (28-30% of dry matter), than single and triple. The second product of processing is juice, than ketchup and peeled tomatoes. Perspectives of tomato production for processing in Yugoslavia are not good. In some next years not can be expected increasing of production. However, combinats and farmers have not the money for advanced the productions. Also processing industry has needs, but has not the possibility to investment in better equipment, to enlarge productions and especially for obtained better quality of processing products.