This update follows our longer-term China tomato paste export data review and adds the newly released May 2026 figures. The product scope remains tomato paste in containers weighing more than 5kg, which is more representative of bulk and industrial-use exports than retail-size tomato products.
May extended the gradual volume improvement seen since February. Export volume increased for a third consecutive month and moved slightly above the same month of 2025. The price side was softer: the average export unit value declined for a second consecutive month and reached the lowest level recorded in January-May 2026.
For the production and supply background behind these trade flows, see our review of Xinjiang's role in China tomato paste exports.
January-May 2026 Export Volume and Average Export Price
Monthly export volume is shown in metric tons. Average export unit value is calculated from monthly export value divided by export volume.
Year-on-Year Comparison: 2026 vs 2025
May was the first month in 2026 when export volume moved above the same month of 2025. Even so, January-May 2026 volume remained -6.1% year on year because the shortfalls recorded in March and April were larger than May's gain.
The January-May average export unit value was US$661/ton, almost unchanged from the same period of 2025. This stable cumulative average masks a softer recent pattern: the monthly unit value fell from US$680/ton in March to US$647/ton in April and US$641/ton in May.
Total volume should also be read together with changes among buyer countries. Our analysis of China tomato paste export destinations provides the longer-term destination-market context.
| 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% |
| May | 59,116 tons | 59,817 tons | +1.2% | US$655/ton | US$641/ton | -2.2% | -1.0% |
| Jan-May | 298,188 tons | 279,913 tons | -6.1% | US$661/ton | US$661/ton | -0.1% | -6.2% |
January-May 2026 Monthly Data
| 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% |
| May 2026 | 59,817 tons | US$38.32 million | US$641/ton | +1.7% | -1.0% |
| January-May 2026 | 279,913 tons | US$184.95 million | US$661/ton | Cumulative period average | |
What Changed in May 2026?
Export volume increased from 58,811 tons in April to 59,817 tons in May, a month-on-month rise of +1.7%. The gain was modest, but it placed May at the highest monthly volume recorded in the first five months of 2026.
Compared with May 2025, volume was +1.2%. Export value, however, was -1.0% year on year because the average export unit value was lower. The comparison points to firmer shipment activity rather than stronger pricing.
The average export unit value declined from US$647/ton in April to US$641/ton in May. Export value still rose +0.7% month on month to US$38.32 million because the increase in volume slightly outweighed the lower unit value.
How to Read the January-May Trend
From January to May 2026, China exported 279,913 tons of bulk tomato paste within the data scope used in this article. Total export value reached US$184.95 million, and the cumulative average export unit value was US$661/ton.
January-May volume and export value were both about 6% below the same period of 2025, while the cumulative unit value was nearly unchanged. The year-on-year gap therefore came mainly from lower shipment volume, especially during March and April, rather than from a major change in the five-month average price.
The crop-cycle timing is also important. The market is now in the late stage of the Crop 2025 commercial cycle: the supply chain is still absorbing tomato paste produced during the 2025 season, while Crop 2026 processing has not yet started. Continued efforts to reduce remaining Crop 2025 inventory may be contributing to the softer average export unit values recorded in April and May. The recent price movement should therefore be read mainly as an old-crop inventory adjustment, not as price pressure created by new Crop 2026 supply.
The latest monthly direction is less balanced. Volumes rose in March, April and May, but the average export unit value declined in April and May. May's result supports a cautious interpretation: China remained an active bulk supplier and monthly shipments improved, but the data does not yet show a sustained price rebound.
Buyer Takeaway
For importers, distributors and food manufacturers, the May figures offer three practical signals:
- Monitor shipment continuity. May volume was the strongest of 2026 so far. June data will help show whether exports can maintain a pace near 60,000 tons per month.
- Separate old-crop and new-crop discussions. Current offers may still reflect Crop 2025 inventory reduction. As the Crop 2026 season approaches, buyers should compare old-crop availability, new-crop production timing and delivery schedules separately.
- Confirm the variables behind each offer. Compare Brix level, color value, processing type, packaging format, destination market, shipment schedule, contract terms and supplier reliability before making a sourcing decision.
Buyers planning forward procurement can use the monthly data to support timing discussions, but the May customs average remains a market reference rather than a quotation for a specific product or order. Direct supplier confirmation is still necessary for crop year, specifications, availability and final pricing.
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, contract or shipment. Actual tomato paste prices may vary by Brix level, color value, 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 May 2026, with January-May 2025 comparison values from the previous 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. Percentages may differ slightly because of rounding.