Classification
Product TypeProcessed Food
Product FormShelf-stable tomato paste (retail cans/tubes) and bulk ingredient (food manufacturing)
Industry PositionProcessed Agricultural Product
Market
Tomato paste in Canada is a shelf-stable consumer and industrial ingredient market supported by both domestic processing and significant imports. Canada imported processed tomato concentrates under HS 200290 at about USD 86.9 million in 2023, with the United States supplying the majority and Italy the second-largest supplier. Domestic processing-tomato production is concentrated in Southwestern Ontario, and large processors such as Highbury Canco supply tomato paste into major Canadian manufactured food products. Market access is strongly shaped by Canadian standards of identity (for “tomato paste” naming/composition) and SFCR preventive-control and labelling expectations for imported foods.
Market RoleImport-dependent consumer and food-manufacturing market with domestic processing
Domestic RoleCore ingredient for Canadian food manufacturing (ketchup, sauces, prepared foods) and a retail pantry staple for home cooking
Risks
Forced Labour Compliance HighCanada prohibits imports of goods produced wholly or in part by forced labour; tomato products linked to high-risk regions (notably China’s Xinjiang) can trigger detention, refusal, or prohibition and major reputational damage if traceability is insufficient or credible forced-labour indicators are identified.Implement origin and input-traceability down to farm/processor level for tomato solids; exclude high-risk geographies where warranted; require third-party audits and robust documentation suitable for CBSA scrutiny.
Regulatory Compliance HighNon-compliance with Canada’s standard of identity for “tomato paste” (including minimum tomato solids and permitted ingredient rules) or non-compliant bilingual labelling can result in import delays, relabelling, detention, or removal from sale.Pre-validate formulations against CFIA compositional standards/FDR identity requirements and complete bilingual label reviews (common name, net quantity, ingredients, etc.) prior to shipment.
Logistics MediumReliance on U.S. cross-border supply and overseas sourcing (e.g., Italy) exposes importers to trucking and container freight volatility, port congestion, and lead-time variability that can disrupt industrial ingredient programs and retail replenishment.Dual-source across North American and overseas origins, contract freight where possible, and hold buffer inventory for industrial users with steady demand profiles.
Sustainability- High-risk origin screening and supply-chain due diligence for tomato products sourced from jurisdictions associated with forced-labour allegations (to reduce seizure/prohibition risk and reputational harm).
Labor & Social- Forced-labour due diligence is a heightened concern for tomato products linked to China’s Xinjiang region; U.S. CBP issued a region-wide Withhold Release Order on Xinjiang cotton and tomato products citing forced-labour indicators.
- Canada prohibits the importation of goods mined, manufactured, or produced wholly or in part by forced labour (Customs Tariff tariff item 9897.00.00 enforcement by CBSA), creating a potential border prohibition risk if credible forced-labour links are identified in the tomato paste supply chain.
Standards- SQF Level 2 (commonly used in North American food manufacturing and held by major Canadian co-manufacturers)
FAQ
What are Canada’s key compositional rules for products sold as “tomato paste”?Canada’s standard of identity for tomato paste sets a minimum tomato solids requirement (not less than 20% tomato solids), and the Food and Drug Regulations standard specifies tomato paste is made by evaporating water from tomatoes/tomato trimmings and may contain citric acid, salt, and a Class II preservative while meeting the minimum solids requirement.
Which countries are the main external suppliers to Canada for processed tomato concentrates in recent trade data?In UNSD Comtrade data compiled by the World Bank WITS for HS 200290 (processed/preserved tomatoes without vinegar), Canada’s largest supplier in 2023 was the United States, followed by Italy.
Why is forced-labour due diligence specifically flagged as a high risk for tomato products?Canada prohibits the import of goods made wholly or in part by forced labour, and U.S. CBP has publicly detained Xinjiang-origin tomato products under a region-wide forced-labour enforcement action. If tomato paste inputs are linked to high-risk regions and traceability is weak, shipments can face serious border and reputational consequences.