Classification
Product TypeProcessed Food
Product FormShelf-stable paste (jarred/canned)
Industry PositionProcessed Food Product
Market
Tomato paste in Georgia (HS 200290: tomatoes prepared/preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid) is a net-import product category, with imports in 2023 far exceeding exports by value and volume. In 2023, Georgia’s imports of HS 200290 were reported at about USD 6.36 million (3,885,470 kg), led by Turkey, followed by Azerbaijan, China, Iran, and Armenia. Exports in 2023 were reported at about USD 0.14 million (117,042 kg), primarily to Azerbaijan with small volumes to Panama and the United States. Georgia also has domestic processing capacity and brands in this category, including the Gori-based cannery KULA (tomato products including tomato paste), alongside imported brands available through Georgian retail channels.
Market RoleNet importer with small export presence and domestic processing
Domestic RoleShelf-stable cooking ingredient category supported by both domestic processors (e.g., KULA) and imports
SeasonalityShelf-stable product typically available year-round; local processing may be batch-based around tomato harvest periods (model inference — no Georgia-specific seasonality source identified).
Specification
Physical Attributes- Homogeneous tomato concentrate texture (paste form) with characteristic red color expectations (Codex reference)
Compositional Metrics- Codex CXS 57-1981: tomato paste is processed tomato concentrate with at least 24% natural total soluble solids (measured without added salt)
- Codex CXS 57-1981: pH must be below 4.6
Packaging- Glass jar retail packs (e.g., KULA tomato paste 285 g)
- Glass jar retail packs (e.g., Marneuli tomato paste listings in Georgia)
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Tomato reception (fresh) → washing/sorting → pulping/finishing (skin/seed removal) → thermal break (hot/cold break) → evaporation/concentration → hot filling/aseptic or jar/can filling → sealing/thermal processing as needed → packing → domestic distribution and/or export
Temperature- Shelf-stable distribution; protect from high heat during storage/transport to reduce quality degradation and packaging defects
Shelf Life- Retail products in Georgia include shelf-stable tomato paste with long stated shelf life (example imported brand listing shows 36 months)
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeLand
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighIf a tomato paste consignment is classified under Georgia’s border/phytosanitary control requirements and the shipment lacks required certificates and/or permits, Georgian law allows for refusal outcomes including return to the exporting country or destruction at the owner’s expense, creating a direct market-access blocker.Before shipment, confirm whether the specific HS line/product presentation is subject to phytosanitary/border control, align documents to Revenue Service/NFA requirements (including phytosanitary certificate and any required NFA permit), and run a pre-arrival document/label consistency check with the Georgian importer.
Logistics MediumGeorgia’s HS 200290 supply is import-heavy and led by regional suppliers (especially Turkey), making availability and landed cost sensitive to land-corridor trucking capacity and border throughput at major checkpoints such as Sarpi.Diversify supplier countries where feasible (e.g., multiple regional origins visible in 2023 import data) and build lead-time buffers for trucked shipments during peak congestion periods.
Price And Tax MediumTomato paste is a price-sensitive shelf-stable product; Georgia’s import cost stack can be materially affected by applicable tariff band (by HS line and origin qualification) and standard VAT (18%), impacting retail competitiveness and margins.Confirm the exact HS classification and duty rate in advance, validate origin documentation when using preferences (e.g., EU-origin under DCFTA), and model VAT/tariff cash-flow in landed-cost planning.
Standards- ISO 9001:2018 (reported certificate for KULA)
FAQ
Is Georgia mainly an importer or exporter of tomato paste (HS 200290)?Georgia is a net importer in HS 200290. In 2023, imports were reported at about USD 6.36 million (3,885,470 kg) while exports were about USD 0.14 million (117,042 kg), with imports led by Turkey and exports mainly to Azerbaijan.
Which countries supply most of Georgia’s HS 200290 imports?In 2023 trade data, Turkey was the largest supplier by value and quantity, followed by Azerbaijan, China, Iran, and Armenia.
What key specification does Codex use to define tomato paste?Codex CXS 57-1981 defines tomato paste as a processed tomato concentrate with at least 24% natural total soluble solids (measured without added salt) and specifies that the pH must be below 4.6.