Classification
Product TypeProcessed Food
Product FormConcentrated paste (canned/aseptic)
Industry PositionProcessed Agricultural Product
Market
Tomato paste in Tajikistan is primarily supplied through imports of processed tomato concentrates (HS 200290), with WITS/UN Comtrade reporting 2023 imports of about USD 585.84k (811,652 kg), dominated by shipments from China. The product is a shelf-stable processed tomato concentrate marketed for direct consumption and catering/foodservice, and it may also be repacked or used as an input for further processing. Market access and sell-through depend on meeting Tajikistan’s standards/conformity requirements and bilingual (Tajik and Russian) labeling expectations for imported goods. As a landlocked market, inbound logistics, transit corridors, and border procedures are a critical determinant of landed cost and continuity of supply.
Market RoleNet importer (import-dependent consumer and processing market)
Domestic RoleImported shelf-stable processed tomato concentrate for retail and catering/foodservice; may also be used for repacking or further processing.
Specification
Physical Attributes- Homogeneous texture characteristic of processed tomato concentrate; good flavour/odour and fairly good red colour are Codex quality expectations.
- Finished product is expected to be substantially free of objectionable peel and seeds (per Codex defect definitions).
Compositional Metrics- Codex CXS 57-1981 designates “Tomato Paste” as processed tomato concentrate with at least 24% natural total soluble solids (measured without added salt).
- Codex CXS 57-1981 specifies pH must be below 4.6 for processed tomato concentrates.
- Codex CXS 57-1981 includes limits/allowances such as mineral impurities not exceeding 0.1% of natural total soluble solids content and lactic acid (total) not exceeding 1% of natural total soluble solids content.
Packaging- Retail packs and non-retail (bulk) containers are both in scope under Codex; non-retail container information may be on-container or in accompanying documents, with core identifiers (product name, lot, responsible party, storage instructions) appearing on the container.
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Overseas processor/packer → export dispatch → multimodal transit into landlocked Tajikistan → customs clearance → importer/distributor warehousing → retail and catering/foodservice distribution
- Bulk (non-retail) packs may be imported for repacking or further processing; lot identification and responsible party details support downstream traceability.
Shelf Life- Storage instructions are a required handling element for non-retail containers under Codex processed tomato concentrate labeling provisions.
Freight IntensityHigh
Transport ModeMultimodal
Risks
Logistics HighTajikistan’s landlocked geography and reliance on cross-border transit corridors means route disruption, border delays, or corridor policy/geopolitical shocks can interrupt tomato paste availability and materially increase landed cost for a freight-intensive packaged staple.Diversify origin options and corridors; maintain in-country safety stock; align documents and labeling to importer checklist to reduce border dwell time.
Regulatory Compliance MediumNon-compliant labeling (Tajik/Russian language requirements and required label elements) and/or missing/invalid conformity documentation can trigger clearance delays, relabeling costs, or refusal at entry.Run pre-shipment label and document checks against Tajik requirements; confirm whether a certificate of conformity is required for the specific HS line and product presentation.
Food Safety MediumTomato paste is a concentrated product with defined Codex quality/safety parameters (e.g., soluble solids designation for “tomato paste”, pH requirement, and contaminant/pesticide-residue compliance expectations); deviations can create buyer rejection or enforcement risk.Specify Codex-aligned parameters in contracts (soluble solids, pH, defect tolerances) and require COA and lot coding for each shipment.
FAQ
How is “tomato paste” defined under Codex for soluble solids content?Under Codex CXS 57-1981 (Processed Tomato Concentrates), “Tomato Paste” is a processed tomato concentrate with at least 24% natural total soluble solids (measured on the product without added salt).
Which countries supplied most of Tajikistan’s recent imports of processed tomato concentrates (HS 200290)?WITS/UN Comtrade data for 2023 (HS 200290) shows Tajikistan imports were dominated by China by value and weight, with smaller volumes reported from Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and Russia.
What language and content expectations apply to labels for imported products in Tajikistan?According to the U.S. International Trade Administration’s Tajikistan Country Commercial Guide, most imported products must be labeled in Tajik and Russian and typically include product name, manufacturer, country of origin, production date, validity period, storage conditions, nutrition data, and usage instructions.