Day of the Tomato: Austrians Pay Attention to the Origin of Tomatoes
In the height of summer, tomatoes are particularly in demand and top the popularity scale among Austrians. In 2024, 33,440 tons of tomatoes were sold in the food trade, representing an increase of 1.8 percent compared to the previous year. The revenue from tomatoes also rose by 1.5 percent.
Tomato Day: Tomatoes are the most popular vegetable among Austrians
This keeps the tomato unchallenged at number one among the most popular vegetables in Austria, ahead of onions and carrots. In the shopping cart, it has the largest share among fruit vegetables: it accounts for 36 percent of the purchased quantity and 44 percent of the revenue in the food retail sector, significantly surpassing cucumbers, peppers, and zucchini. In eastern Austria, the red vegetable is called "Paradeiser," in the west "Tomate." The term "Tomate" is derived from the Aztec word "Tomatl." In Europe, it was initially known as "love apple." In Austria, this evolved into the term "Paradeiser." The main harvest season is from July to October, but in greenhouses, it can be harvested all year round.
Cherry Tomato is the Vegetable of the Year 2025
Regardless of the designation, it is important to pay attention to regional origin. The red-white-red quality seal guarantees that the tomatoes come from Austria and are produced according to transparent standards. According to a RollAMA analysis, 75 percent of Austrian households prefer to buy regional when possible. The cherry tomato "Tommi Sunshine" was awarded as the Vegetable of the Year 2025 by the Federal Association of Austrian Gardeners. This variety is known for its firm, sweet-aromatic flesh and its special robustness, making it suitable for rainy areas. Under ideal conditions, the plant can reach a height of up to two meters.
Increase in Greenhouse Tomato Cultivation
In 2024, over 58,000 tons of tomatoes were harvested in Austria on an area of 196 hectares, representing a slight increase compared to 2023. Cultivation mainly takes place in the eastern federal states, such as Lower Austria, Upper Austria, Burgenland, Styria, and Vienna. Cluster tomatoes account for 81 percent of the harvest. The majority of cultivation, 171 hectares, takes place in greenhouses or polytunnels. The yield in open fields is 37 tons per hectare, while under glass or foil it rises to 427 tons per hectare.
AMA Quality Seal for Regional Origin
More and more consumers value organic quality in tomatoes. The share of organic tomatoes in the food retail sector increased to 12.2 percent by quantity in 2024, while the value share even reached 15.1 percent. This clear trend shows that the organic share has continuously increased in recent years. For fruits and vegetables, the red-white-red AMA quality seal guarantees high quality and origin from Austria. It ensures that cultivation, harvest, sorting, and packaging are carried out exclusively regionally and that the vegetables awarded with it are produced according to clearly defined quality standards. These include traceable regional origin, tested quality, and independent controls.
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