This update follows our previous China tomato paste export data review and focuses only on the newly added 2026 monthly data. The product scope remains tomato paste in containers weighing more than 5kg, which is more representative of bulk and industrial-use tomato paste exports than retail-size tomato products.
The key message from April is simple: shipment volume was stronger month on month, while price pressure was still visible. April became the highest-volume month in the first four months of 2026, but export value did not rise with volume because the average customs unit value moved lower.
For a supply-side background, it is also useful to read about Xinjiang's role in China tomato paste exports, because production location, processing capacity and export organization still shape China's bulk tomato paste market.
2026 Monthly Export Volume and Average Export Price
The chart below only includes January to April 2026, using monthly customs export volume and calculated average export unit value.
Year-on-Year Comparison: 2026 vs 2025
Compared with the same months in 2025, the January-April 2026 export volume was -7.9%, while the average export unit value was +0.5%. In other words, the first four months of 2026 did not show a strong volume recovery, but the price level was broadly close to last year's low range.
This total monthly view should be read together with destination-market changes. Buyer-country structure can change even when total volume looks stable; see our review of China tomato paste export destinations for that angle.
| Month | 2025 Volume | 2026 Volume | Volume YoY | 2025 Avg Price | 2026 Avg Price | Price YoY | Value YoY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 54,507 tons | 54,178 tons | -0.6% | US$679/ton | US$682/ton | +0.4% | -0.2% |
| Feb | 51,684 tons | 50,919 tons | -1.5% | US$670/ton | US$656/ton | -2.0% | -3.5% |
| Mar | 67,077 tons | 56,188 tons | -16.2% | US$652/ton | US$680/ton | +4.2% | -12.7% |
| Apr | 65,803 tons | 58,811 tons | -10.6% | US$654/ton | US$647/ton | -1.2% | -11.7% |
| Jan-Apr | 239,072 tons | 220,095 tons | -7.9% | US$663/ton | US$666/ton | +0.5% | -7.5% |
2026 Monthly Data Table
| Month | Export Volume | Export Value | Avg Export Unit Value | Volume MoM | Price MoM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | 54,178 tons | US$36.95 million | US$682/ton | n/a | n/a |
| February 2026 | 50,919 tons | US$33.42 million | US$656/ton | -6.0% | -3.8% |
| March 2026 | 56,188 tons | US$38.21 million | US$680/ton | +10.3% | +3.6% |
| April 2026 | 58,811 tons | US$38.05 million | US$647/ton | +4.7% | -4.9% |
| January-April 2026 | 220,095 tons | US$146.63 million | US$666/ton | Cumulative period average | |
What Changed in April 2026?
April export volume rose from 56,188 tons in March to 58,811 tons, an increase of +4.7%. This suggests that China bulk tomato paste export shipments remained active after the first quarter.
However, compared with April 2025, April 2026 volume was still -10.6%, and export value was -11.7%. So the better reading is not a new expansion cycle, but a month-on-month shipment improvement inside a still cautious market.
The average export unit value fell from US$680/ton in March to US$647/ton in April. As a result, export value was almost flat compared with March even though more volume was shipped.
How to Read the January-April Trend
From January to April 2026, China exported 220,095 tons of bulk tomato paste within the customs data scope used in this article, with a total export value of US$146.63 million and an average export unit value of US$666/ton.
Year on year, January-April volume was -7.9% and export value was -7.5%. The average export unit value was only +0.5% higher than the same period of 2025, which means the market is still moving around last year's low-price base rather than entering a clear rebound.
This cautious reading is also consistent with recent public industry disclosures from major tomato-processing companies. Some producers have described pressure from weaker tomato-product revenue and export prices, while also pointing to production control, inventory digestion and a slower pace of price decline compared with the previous year.
In other words, the month-to-month pattern still points to low-level stabilization. January and March were closer to the US$680/ton level, while February and April were lower. Stronger April shipment volume is positive, but it should be read as a shipment improvement within a still cautious market, not as clear evidence that a new upward price cycle has started.
Buyer Takeaway
For importers, distributors and food manufacturers, the April data indicates that China remains an active supplier of bulk tomato paste, but the customs average unit value should be used as a market reference only, not as a quotation or the price for any specific order.
When comparing suppliers and market timing, buyers should look beyond the monthly average price and review Brix level, color value, processing type, packaging format, destination market, shipment schedule, contract terms and supplier reliability. The longer-term China tomato paste export data review can also help place this April update inside the broader price cycle.
Low average customs prices may create sourcing opportunities, especially for buyers planning forward procurement, but final order decisions should still be based on detailed product specifications and supplier conditions.
Contact RTM for bulk tomato paste sourcingPrice Interpretation Note
The average export unit value in this article is calculated from China Customs export value divided by export volume. It is used for market trend analysis only and does not represent RTM Tomato's actual quotation, nor the transaction price of any specific supplier, product or contract. Actual tomato paste prices may vary by Brix level, processing type, packaging format, destination market, shipment timing, contract terms and product specification.
Data source: China Customs bulk tomato paste export data from January to April 2026, with 2025 same-month comparison values from the previous customs dataset used in this export data series. Product scope: tomato paste in containers weighing more than 5kg. Export volume refers to the first quantity in kilograms, converted into metric tons. Export value refers to customs export value in US dollars. Average export unit value is calculated as export value divided by export volume. Industry context is summarized from public 2025 disclosures by major China tomato-processing companies.