What Kagome Australia does

Kagome Australia Pty Ltd is the Australian operating subsidiary of Japan's Kagome Co., Ltd. and is the country's largest tomato processor, based in Echuca, Victoria. The company operates a vertically integrated model that combines owned farming (35% of tomato production) with contracted local growers across southern NSW and northern Victoria, processing approximately 200,000 tonnes of tomatoes and 50,000 tonnes of carrots, beetroot, apples, and pears annually on a summer cropping footprint of 1,800-2,100 hectares. Core processing infrastructure includes the Apollo Evaporator (installed 2013), a Foodservice Plant for 1-6kg pouch sauces (commissioned 2015), a Powder Plant for functional ingredients (commissioned 2022), and an RFID traceability system (introduced 2017) that enables farm-to-product provenance tracking.

The company sells through three primary channels: industrial B2B bulk ingredient sales (paste, dice, passata, concentrate in drums and goodpacks to food manufacturers), foodservice pouch products (pizza sauce, ketchup, Napoli, crushed tomato to commercial kitchens and restaurant chains), and custom co-manufacturing/formulation services with 6-9 month development timelines. A fourth growth vector is functional powders — NinjinFibre (carrot fibre) and LycoFibre (tomato skin powder) — sold to pet food, nutraceutical, and CPG customers, plus a 2025 entry into cosmetics via Red Velvet Oil, an upcycled tomato seed oil produced in partnership with Native Extracts. Revenue mechanics are transaction-based on multi-year contracts with negotiated pricing, supplemented by professional-service fees for custom formulation and co-manufacturing work.

The customer base spans industrial food manufacturers, foodservice/hospitality operators, pet food producers, nutraceutical companies, and cosmetics (Native Extracts), with exports to Japan and ASEAN through the parent company's global network. The company holds FSSC 22000, ISO 9001, HACCP, and ISO 45001 certifications, is led by recently appointed CEO Brad Free (succeeding Jason Fritsch), and has leadership in place across sales, field operations, finance, supply chain, R&D/quality, and human resources. Notable governance signals include former CEO Fritsch's presidency of the World Processing Tomato Council and an active research partnership with CSIRO on upcycled ingredient applications.

Name

Kagome Australia

Legal name

Kagome Australia Pty Ltd

Website

https://kagome.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Kagome Australia is the country's largest tomato processor, vertically integrated from farm to finished product, supplying industrial ingredients, foodservice sauces, custom-manufactured products, and upcycled functional powders to food manufacturers, restaurant operators, and pet food/nutraceutical/cosmetics customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Food Processing and Ingredients Manufacturing

NAICS

Fruit and Vegetable Preserving and Specialty Food Manufacturing (3114), Mayonnaise, Dressing, and Other Prepared Sauce Manufacturing (311941)

SIC

Canned, Frozen & Preservd Fruit, Veg & Food Specialties (2030)

akta.pro primary industry

Ketchup & Tomato-Based Sauces Manufacturing (AFAKADAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Canned & Jarred Fruit & Vegetable Processing (Canning, Bottling) (AFAKAFAH), Dips, Salsas, Relishes & Chutneys Manufacturing (AFAKADAM)

Keywords

• Tomato processing
• Industrial food ingredients
• Co-manufacturing services
• Functional fiber powders
• Foodservice sauces

Headquarters

HQ city

Echuca

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Industrial/B2B Product Sales: Sale of tomato paste, diced tomatoes, passata, carrot concentrate, apple/pear puree and paste, and beetroot products to food manufacturers and retail customers. Products sold in bulk formats (drums, goodpacks) for use as ingredients in customer products.
2. Foodservice Products: Sale of finished tomato-based sauces (pizza sauce, ketchup, Napoli sauce, crushed tomatoes) in pouches (1-6kg) to commercial kitchens, restaurants, and foodservice operators.
3. Co-manufacturing Services: Manufacturing services for private label brands, producing products from development of innovative formulas to finished products in 1-6kg pouches. Minimum order quantities apply.
4. Custom Formulation: Product development and custom formulation services from concept to commercialisation, guiding customers through innovation process with culinary and creative teams.
5. Functional Powder Ingredients: Sale of NinjinFibre (carrot fiber powder) and LycoFibre (tomato skin powder) to consumer packaged goods sector, nutraceuticals, and pet food manufacturers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Kagome Australia is Australia's largest tomato processor, processing approximately 200,000 tonnes of tomatoes annually along with carrots, beetroot, apples, pears, and garlic. The company manufactures industrial food ingredients (paste, juice, passata, dice, concentrates), foodservice sauces (pizza, ketchup, Napoli), custom-made sauces, and proprietary functional fiber powders (NinjinFibre carrot powder and LycoFibre tomato powder) produced from upcycled processing by-products, supplying food manufacturers, foodservice operators, pet food producers, and nutraceutical companies.

Product overview

Kagome Australia is a processed fruit and vegetable company and Australia's largest tomato processor, operating as a multi-category food manufacturing business. The product portfolio spans three main segments: (1) Industrial Products including tomato paste, juice, passata, and dice; carrot concentrate and pulp; beetroot juice and puree; apple and pear puree products; and garlic products; (2) Foodservice Products including Pizza Sauce, Chunky Napoli Sauce, Pulpy Crushed Tomato, and Tomato Ketchup; (3) Custom Made Products including pizza and pasta sauces, BBQ sauces, ketchup, tomato products, vegetable mash, and chutney/relish. The company also produces Functional Powders (NinjinFibre Carrot Powder and LycoFibre Tomato Powder) from upcycled fruit and vegetable by-products, and recently launched Red Velvet Oil in partnership with Native Extracts. Services include co-manufacturing and custom formulation from concept to commercialisation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NinjinFibre: Carrot fiber powder product manufactured from carrot processing by-products. Used in pet food, nutraceuticals, and food applications.
• LycoFibre
• Red Velvet Oil

Quantifiable outcome

• 7000 tonnes of carrot pulp converted to 700 tonnes of value-added powder annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core, community and industry leadership.

• Native ExtractscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership with Native Extracts, Australia's leading phytotechnology company, to create Red Velvet Oil from upcycled tomato seeds. This collaboration aims to pioneer food waste upcycling, transforming by-products into high-value cosmetic ingredients. The partnership positions Echuca, Victoria as Australia's first upcycling hub. Future exploration includes upcycled ingredients from beetroot, apple, and pear by-products.
• Echuca Regional HealthcommunityOthers · 1 January 2024Community partnership supporting mental health initiatives. Kagome has participated in multiple fundraising events including 'Celebrating Culinary Careers' gala raising $173,000 and Pick-A-Box community events matching donations dollar for dollar.
• CSIROcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Research partnership with CSIRO supported through Australian Government's Entrepreneurs' Programme (Innovation Connections service). Collaboration focused on developing applications for NinjinFibre carrot fiber powder, including research on using dried carrot pulp in burger patties and meat processing applications. CSIRO conducted studies on optimum inclusion rates and impact on patty color, texture, and cook loss.
• World Processing Tomato Councilindustry leadershipStrategic or Co-development PartnerKagome Australia CEO Jason Fritsch serves as President of the World Processing Tomato Council (WPTC), leading industry sessions on trends, sustainability, and artificial intelligence in agriculture.
• Australian Processing Tomato Research Council (APTRC)industry leadershipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with APTRC to monitor Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) situation, assess risks, and implement necessary precautions to safeguard operations. Active engagement with key stakeholders to mitigate potential impacts.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Kraft Heinz Australia: Kraft Heinz is a global incumbent in sauces and condiments including tomato ketchup, BBQ sauces, and pasta sauces sold through Australian retail. Competes with Kagome in branded sauce categories while also being a potential customer for Kagome's industrial tomato paste.
• Simplot Australia: Simplot Australia manufactures frozen vegetables, seafood, and sauces including Leggo's pasta sauces and Bird's Eye products. Competes in tomato sauce categories and serves overlapping foodservice and industrial customers.
• Riviana Foods: Riviana Foods is a major Australian food manufacturer producing rice, sauces, and condiments under brands like Uncle Ben's and Always Fresh. Competes in Australian sauces and condiments market with significant foodservice presence.
• McCain Foods Australia: McCain Foods is a major Australian food manufacturer producing frozen vegetables, prepared foods, and sauces. Comparable scale food processor with B2B and foodservice channels serving Australian market.

Direct peers

• SPC Ardmona: SPC is a major Australian fruit and tomato processor operating from the Goulburn Valley region, producing canned tomatoes, sauces, and packaged fruit products. Direct competitor in Australian tomato processing with overlapping customer base in retail and industrial food manufacturing.
• Cedenco Foods Australia: Cedenco Foods processes tomatoes and other vegetables in Australia and New Zealand, producing tomato paste, sauces, and purees for industrial customers. Comparable vertically-integrated tomato processor serving similar B2B food manufacturer customers.
• Beak & Johnston: Beak & Johnston is an Australian sauce and condiment manufacturer producing tomato-based sauces, condiments, and custom formulations for retail and foodservice. Directly comparable B2B co-manufacturer and private label sauce producer.
• Golden Circle: Golden Circle is an Australian fruit and vegetable processor producing canned tomatoes, baked beans, and fruit products. Direct peer in Australian canned and preserved vegetable manufacturing with retail brand presence.

Market position

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCt51cMPRHGj0zOS00_PJQDg
• Facebookfacebook.com/KagomeAustralia
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kagome-australia
• Instagraminstagram.com/kagomeaustralia
• Pinterestpinterest.com/kagomeaustralia

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kagome Australia