Canned Tomatoes
Canned tomatoes are one of the most widely traded categories of processed tomato products. The sector includes whole peeled tomatoes, chopped and diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes and other tomato preparations packed for retail, foodservice and industrial markets.
Production is concentrated in important tomato-growing and processing regions, particularly in Italy and other Mediterranean countries, as well as in Asia and other major agricultural markets. Manufacturers range from specialist tomato processors to large food companies supplying domestic and international customers.
What Are Canned Tomatoes?
Canned tomatoes are tomatoes that are processed and preserved in sealed containers to provide a stable product suitable for retail, foodservice and industrial use. They are generally made from ripe processing tomatoes selected for characteristics such as colour, firmness, uniformity and processing quality.
Depending on the processing method, canned tomatoes may be packed whole or processed into different forms, including whole peeled tomatoes, diced tomatoes, chopped tomatoes, crushed tomatoes and tomato pulp. Whole and cut tomatoes may be packed in tomato juice or tomato purée, according to the product specification.
Unlike fresh-market tomatoes, tomatoes intended for canning are grown primarily for processing and are normally delivered to processing plants shortly after harvesting, where they are sorted, washed, prepared, packed and heat treated to ensure preservation.
About Canned Tomatoes
Tomatoes intended for canning and industrial processing are selected for characteristics such as colour, firmness, uniform ripening and processing yield. After harvesting, the tomatoes are transported to processing plants, where they are selected and transformed into the required finished product. Rapid processing after harvesting helps preserve the characteristics of the fresh raw material.
An important distinction in the tomato processing industry is between products obtained directly from fresh tomatoes and tomato concentrate. Whole peeled tomatoes, tomato pulp and similar solid tomato products are produced from fresh tomatoes rather than by reconstituting tomato concentrate.
Main Types of Canned Tomatoes
| Product | Characteristics | Typical applications |
|---|---|---|
| Whole Peeled Tomatoes | Whole tomatoes, peeled and generally packed in tomato juice or purée. | Pizza, sauces, restaurants and foodservice. |
| Diced Tomatoes | Tomatoes cut into relatively uniform pieces. | Ready meals, sauces, catering and industrial use. |
| Chopped Tomatoes | Tomatoes processed into smaller pieces for convenient preparation. | Cooking, sauces, soups and foodservice. |
| Crushed Tomatoes / Tomato Pulp | Tomato flesh processed to provide a finer or pulpy texture. | Pizza sauces, pasta sauces and food manufacturing. |
Quality Parameters for Buyers
When sourcing canned tomatoes, buyers may evaluate specifications such as soluble solids (°Brix), pH and acidity, colour, consistency, drained weight, fruit integrity, residual peel and other product defects. Requirements vary according to the tomato product, destination market and customer specification.
