Classification
Product TypeProcessed Food
Product FormShelf-stable concentrate (canned/jarred/aseptic)
Industry PositionProcessed food ingredient and consumer pantry product
Market
Tomato paste in Sri Lanka is primarily an import-supplied market under HS 2002.90.00, with imports in 2022 reported at about USD 2.32 million (HS 200290) and China as the largest source by value. Domestic manufacturing and packing exist (e.g., Lanka Canneries and Kelani Valley Canneries), but Sri Lankan sauce manufacturers commonly rely on imported tomato paste as an input. A near-term compliance inflection is the Food (Labelling and Advertising) Regulations 2026, scheduled to come into operation on July 1, 2026, which can affect market access if labels are not updated. The product serves both household cooking demand and industrial use in sauces/ketchups for catering and retail.
Market RoleNet importer with limited domestic manufacturing/packing
Domestic RoleWidely used cooking ingredient and a key input for Sri Lankan tomato-based sauce/ketchup manufacturing; local brands exist alongside imported paste supply.
Market GrowthMixed (2020–2022 UN Comtrade/WITS trade values for HS 200290)import value increased versus 2020 but was similar in 2021–2022
Specification
Physical Attributes- Smooth concentrate with most skins/seeds removed (Codex CXS 57 definition).
- Retail products marketed by consistency such as "extra thick" tomato paste (Sri Lanka retail examples).
Compositional Metrics- Tomato paste designation: ≥24% natural total soluble solids (Codex CXS 57).
- Local retail labeling in Sri Lanka may reference TSS/°Brix-style solids declarations for related tomato concentrates (e.g., tomato puree labeled T.S.S. 18° min in a domestic product listing).
Packaging- Glass jars and metal cans are used in Sri Lanka retail and catering packs (e.g., KVC lists 360 g and 750 g glass jars and a 3.1 kg metal can).
- Industrial tomato paste is commonly packed in aseptic bags for long shelf life in trade/processing supply chains (UNIDO process reference).
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Import supply: overseas processor/packer → sea freight to Sri Lanka → Customs declaration/clearance under HS 2002.90.00 → distributor/retail or B2B processors/catering.
- Domestic value-add: imported (or locally made) tomato paste → used as an ingredient for tomato-based sauces/ketchups for retail and catering (noted by Sri Lanka ITI).
Shelf Life- Aseptic-bag packed tomato paste/concentrate can be stored up to ~24 months under typical industrial practice (UNIDO pre-feasibility process reference); actual shelf life must follow labeled expiry and Sri Lanka import shelf-life rules.
Freight IntensityHigh
Transport ModeSea
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighThe Food (Labelling and Advertising) Regulations 2026 are scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026; non-compliant labels (including missing mandatory elements for B2B packs and required language/supplementary label handling) can block import, sale, or distribution of tomato paste in Sri Lanka.Lock label compliance against the July 1, 2026 requirements before shipment (or plan compliant supplementary labels), ensure importer/distributor details and country-of-origin are present, and maintain documentary evidence to decode any coded manufacture/expiry dates.
Logistics MediumTomato paste is typically shipped as heavy shelf-stable cargo (cans/jars or bulk industrial formats), making Sri Lanka landed cost sensitive to ocean freight volatility and container disruption.Use buffer inventory for key SKUs, diversify shipping lines/routings where feasible, and consider dual-sourcing from multiple origins to reduce disruption exposure.
Supply Concentration MediumSri Lanka tomato paste imports under HS 200290 are concentrated in a small number of source countries; UN Comtrade/WITS shows China as the largest source by value in 2022, followed by India, increasing exposure to supplier-side policy, pricing, or quality shocks.Qualify backup origins and maintain supplier approval lists with periodic verification using updated UN Comtrade/ITC Trade Map partner data.
Food Safety MediumFormulation and additive declaration must align with Sri Lanka food regulations and label rules; domestic products show variability between simple formulations (tomato paste + salt) and formulations using permitted preservatives (e.g., INS 202), creating misdeclaration and compliance risk for imports and local packing.Validate ingredient lists and additive permissions against Sri Lanka regulations, and run pre-shipment label and specification checks (including batch/expiry coding and ingredient order) before CusDec submission.
Standards- ISO 22000
- HACCP
- GMP
- SLS product certification (Sri Lanka Standards Certification) — used by at least one domestic processed fruit/vegetable manufacturer
FAQ
Which HS code is typically used for tomato paste imports into Sri Lanka?Tomato paste is commonly classified under Chapter 20, heading 2002 (tomatoes prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid). In Sri Lanka’s National Imports Tariff Guide (NITG) 2026, tomato preparations appear under HS 2002.90.00 (“Other”), but the correct code should be confirmed against the exact product description and packing format in the Sri Lanka Customs tariff guide.
What is the biggest near-term compliance risk for importing tomato paste into Sri Lanka in 2026?Label compliance. The Food (Labelling and Advertising) Regulations 2026 are scheduled to come into operation on July 1, 2026, and require packaged foods (including B2B packs) to carry mandatory label information such as product name (in required languages), net contents, dates, batch number, manufacturer/distributor details, country of origin for imports, and a complete ingredient list.
Is Sri Lanka mainly an importer or exporter of tomato paste-type products?Sri Lanka is mainly an importer for HS 200290 tomato preparations. UN Comtrade data (via WITS) reports imports around USD 2.32 million in 2022 for HS 200290, while exports are much smaller (tens of thousands of USD in 2022).
Are there domestic Sri Lankan manufacturers involved in tomato paste or tomato-based processed products?Yes. Sri Lanka has domestic processed fruit/vegetable manufacturers that sell tomato paste products (e.g., Lanka Canneries/MD and Kelani Valley Canneries), and the Industrial Technology Institute (ITI) has published a tomato paste/puree method using locally available tomato varieties aimed at substituting imported paste.