Italian tomato processors are holding their breath that the ideal weather conditions continue, which should result in a good pack.

Unseasonably bad weather a few weeks ago caused a three-week delay to the packers starting production but the improvement should avoid another short pack.

UK importers are hopeful a good pack in Italy will avoid the need to switch to other regions such as Argentina.

If good weather holds, about 5-6 million tonnes of processed product will be available for export - just enough to meet worldwide demand, according to sources in Naples, and maintain prices similar to last season’s levels.

The Italian industry is determined to avoid the problems of the past, so no pre-pack contracts have been negotiated, according to sources, not even in the volatile German discounter sector.