Classification
Product TypeProcessed Food
Product FormShelf-stable paste/concentrate
Industry PositionProcessed vegetable product (tomato concentrate) for retail and food manufacturing
Market
Tomato paste in Egypt is produced from domestically grown tomatoes and supplied both to the local consumer market and to industrial buyers as a tomato concentrate ingredient. UN Comtrade data via WITS indicates Egypt is a net exporter of HS 200290 in 2023, with exports substantially exceeding imports and shipments reaching multiple destinations across Europe, MENA and Africa. Product specifications commonly reference tomato concentrate standards aligned to Codex (e.g., soluble solids thresholds for tomato paste) and Egyptian standards for preserved tomato concentrates. A key supply-side disruption risk for processors is crop disease pressure, including the official confirmation of tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) in Egypt with limited distribution.
Market RoleNet exporter and significant regional/global supplier
Domestic RoleDomestic consumer staple and a food-industry ingredient (sauces, soups, ready meals) alongside export-oriented industrial concentrate production
SeasonalityMultiple production cycles across regions support near year-round tomato availability; supply peaks vary by geography and cropping calendar.
Specification
Physical Attributes- Concentrated tomato product typically finished to exclude most skins and seeds (tomato concentrate/paste specification)
Compositional Metrics- Codex tomato paste designation: tomato concentrate with at least 24% natural total soluble solids (measured without added salt)
- Common commercial Brix specifications observed from Egypt-based suppliers include 28–30% and 36–38% (hot break/cold break variants)
- pH targets around ≤4.5 at standardized Brix for concentrate specifications are commonly listed by industrial suppliers
Grades- Hot Break vs Cold Break concentrate specification
- Brix/concentration variants (e.g., 28–30%, 36–38%)
Packaging- Aseptic bag-in-drum bulk (e.g., ~230 kg net drums)
- Wooden bins/large bulk containers (e.g., ~1000 kg net)
- Retail tin cans (e.g., 70 g to 3 kg)
- Retail glass jars (e.g., ~300 g to 1.3 kg)
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Tomato sourcing (irrigated farms) → receiving & sorting → washing → crushing (hot break/cold break) → pulping/finishing (seed/skin removal) → evaporation concentration to target Brix → thermal sterilization → aseptic filling (drums/bag-in-box) or canning/jarring → ambient dry storage → export shipping and/or domestic distribution
Temperature- Bulk aseptic concentrate is commonly stored and shipped as an ambient-stable product in dry conditions when properly sterilized and sealed
- Retail packs are typically stored at ambient temperature; refrigerate after opening
Shelf Life- Example supplier guidance: shelf life of 24 months for tin-canned tomato paste and 18 months for glass-jar products under ambient storage conditions
- Example industrial bulk guidance: aseptic drums/bins stored dry with shelf life commonly stated around 18 months
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeSea
Risks
Plant Health HighTomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) has been officially confirmed in Egypt (reported as present with limited distribution), creating a material risk of processing-tomato yield/quality disruption and input-price volatility for tomato paste manufacturers.Require supplier biosecurity controls (hygiene, seed/seedling sourcing controls), monitor NPPO/EPPO updates, and diversify raw-tomato sourcing across regions to reduce single-area exposure.
Regulatory Compliance MediumNon-conformity to Egyptian standards and NFSA-linked import conformity procedures (where applicable) can trigger delays, additional testing, or rejected consignments for tomato preparations/concentrates shipped into Egypt.Align product specs to applicable Egyptian standards for preserved tomato concentrates and maintain a complete documentation pack (spec sheet, COA, labeling proofs) for the importer/CAB process.
Climate MediumWater scarcity and irrigation management constraints in Egypt can increase production risk and cost for tomatoes used as processing input, especially under climate variability and tightening water allocation/quality pressures.Prioritize contracted supply from farms with documented irrigation efficiency measures; maintain multi-region procurement and buffer stocks during peak processing season.
Logistics MediumOcean freight volatility can affect competitiveness of Egypt’s bulk tomato paste exports (drums/bins/canned goods) and may disrupt lead times for contracted deliveries.Use forward freight planning, flexible shipment windows, and multi-port routing options; structure contracts with clear Incoterms and contingency clauses for freight swings.
Sustainability- Irrigation dependency and water resource constraints: Egyptian agriculture is heavily reliant on Nile water and faces water-scarcity management challenges that can affect horticultural crop stability and costs.
- On-farm water-use efficiency as a recurring operational theme (modern irrigation, canal/pump modernization initiatives).
Standards- HACCP
- ISO 22000
- BRC
- FSSC 22000
FAQ
Is Egypt a net exporter of tomato paste and similar tomato concentrates (HS 200290)?Yes. UN Comtrade data accessed via WITS shows Egypt exported about US$90.8 million of HS 200290 in 2023 while importing about US$9.9 million, indicating Egypt is a net exporter for this HS category.
Under Codex, what qualifies a product to be called “tomato paste” rather than “tomato puree”?Codex STAN 57-1981 defines tomato concentrates by natural total soluble solids: “tomato paste” is a tomato concentrate with at least 24% natural total soluble solids (measured without added salt), while “tomato puree” is below that threshold (but at least 7%).
What is the most critical crop-risk that could disrupt Egypt’s tomato paste supply chain?EPPO reports that tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) has been officially confirmed in Egypt with limited distribution, which can disrupt tomato production and therefore the availability and cost of tomatoes used for processing into paste.
What bulk packaging formats are commonly used by Egypt-based tomato concentrate exporters?Supplier specifications from Egypt-based processors commonly describe aseptic bulk formats such as bag-in-drum (e.g., ~230 kg net drums) and larger bulk bins, alongside retail formats like tin cans and glass jars.