Written and Published by BMT Foods, July 8, 2026
Tomato powder has become one of the food industry’s most versatile ingredients. While consumers often associate tomatoes with sauces and ketchup, manufacturers recognize tomato powder as a convenient, shelf-stable ingredient that delivers concentrated tomato flavor, natural color, and nutritional value across countless food applications.
From seasoning blends and snack foods to soups, sauces, ready meals, pet food, and beverage mixes, demand for high-quality tomato powder continues to expand as manufacturers seek ingredients that simplify production while maintaining consistent flavor.
Tomatoes are very healthy for a variety of reasons. They are loaded with antioxidants including lycopene and beta-carotene, which can help reduce cancer risk, while high levels of Vitamin A and lutein can help with overall eye and skin health. With a significant amount of potassium, they are great for heart health, too.
How Tomato Powder is Made
High-quality tomato powder begins with vine-ripened processing tomatoes that are harvested at peak maturity. The tomatoes are washed, sorted, and processed into concentrated tomato paste before entering the drying process.
Using advanced spray drying technology, the concentrated tomato paste is transformed into a fine, free-flowing powder that retains the characteristic flavor, color, and aroma of fresh tomatoes. The result is an ingredient that is easy to store, simple to transport, and convenient for manufacturers to incorporate into a wide range of food products.
The fine particle size and excellent dispersibility make spray-dried tomato powder an ideal solution for applications where consistent performance and uniform blending are important.
Why California Matters
California is recognized as the global leader in processing tomatoes, producing approximately 90 percent of the U.S. processing tomato crop and roughly one quarter to one third of the world’s processing tomatoes in most years.
The state’s Mediterranean climate, fertile soils, modern irrigation systems, and decades of agricultural expertise allow growers to consistently produce high-quality tomatoes for food manufacturing. This reliable supply chain helps manufacturers maintain product consistency while supporting long-term ingredient availability.
Why Manufacturers Choose Tomato Powder
Tomato powder offers several advantages over liquid tomato products. It has a long shelf life, requires less storage space, reduces shipping weight, and allows manufacturers to add concentrated tomato flavor without increasing moisture. These benefits can improve formulation flexibility while helping streamline production.
Tomato powder is commonly used in:
- Seasoning blends
- Dry soup mixes
- Sauces and gravies
- Snack foods
- Pasta products
- Meat seasonings and rubs
- Ready-to-eat meals
- Pet food
- Beverage and smoothie formulations
Its versatility makes it an excellent ingredient for both large-scale manufacturing and innovative product development.
Looking Ahead
As consumers continue seeking products with recognizable ingredients and bold, authentic flavors, tomato powder remains an important ingredient for food manufacturers around the world.
California’s established processing industry, dependable agricultural infrastructure, and continued investment in manufacturing technology position it to remain one of the most trusted sources of premium tomato ingredients.
Whether supporting a new product launch or improving an existing formulation, high-quality spray-dried tomato powder continues to provide manufacturers with consistent performance, reliable supply, and exceptional tomato flavor in a convenient, shelf-stable format.
At BMT Foods, we partner with trusted global ingredient manufacturers to deliver premium tomato ingredients backed by quality, consistency, and technical expertise. Our goal is to help customers develop products with confidence while maintaining a dependable supply chain. Reach out to the BMT Foods team today to discuss your tomato powder and other ingredient needs.