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Vegetable

Tomato: what can it become?

Highly perishable: handling, transport and processing decide how much value survives.

  1. Raw tomato
  2. Processing
  3. Value-added products
  4. Packaging
  5. Markets
  6. Customers

Fresh tomatoes bruise and spoil quickly, and gluts can push prices down. Better handling, cooling and processing reduce losses and open different buyers.

What can tomato become?

Graded, crated fresh tomatoes

Sorted and handled carefully to reach distant markets in better condition.

Processing
Harvest at the right maturity, sort and grade, pack in suitable crates.
Equipment
  • Ventilated crates
  • Sorting table
  • Shade or cooling space
Packaging
Rigid, ventilated crates rather than deep sacks.
Storage
Cool, shaded handling; cold storage where available.
Customer types
  • Supermarkets
  • Restaurants
  • Market wholesalers
Distribution
Planned transport, ideally cooled for longer distances.
Possible business models
  • Aggregation and grading
  • Produce logistics

Tomato paste or puree

Cooked and concentrated product with a much longer shelf life.

Processing
Washing, sorting, heating, pulping, cooking down, hygienic filling. Food-safety controls are essential.
Equipment
  • Washing and sorting line
  • Pulper
  • Cooking vessels
  • Filling and sealing equipment
Packaging
Sealed jars, sachets or tins with labels and batch information.
Storage
Cool, dry storage once sealed.
Customer types
  • Households
  • Restaurants
  • Retailers
  • Caterers
Distribution
Retail shops, wholesalers, direct to caterers.
Possible business models
  • Own brand
  • Contract processing in peak season

Dried tomato

Dehydrated slices or flakes for longer storage.

Processing
Washing, slicing, drying in a clean, controlled way.
Equipment
  • Slicer
  • Dryer
  • Packaging tools
Packaging
Moisture-proof packs.
Storage
Cool, dry, sealed storage.
Customer types
  • Retailers
  • Food makers
  • Households
Distribution
Retail and specialty channels.
Possible business models
  • Small-batch brand
  • Supply to food manufacturers

The customers, routes to market, business models and many practical tips on this page are suggestions, not findings. Know something better? Suggest an improvement →

Business opportunities around tomato

Examples describe possibilities, not guaranteed results. Prices, demand and rules vary by country and season — verify locally.