Heinz Ketchup's Global Manufacturing Footprint

The iconic condiment is produced at factories across the U.S. and around the world.

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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Heinz ketchup, a beloved condiment that has been around for over a century, is manufactured at two main factories in the United States - in Fremont, Ohio and Muscatine, Iowa. However, Heinz also has ketchup production facilities in various other countries to meet global demand, including plants in Canada, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Brazil, and Spain.

Why it matters

Understanding where Heinz ketchup is produced provides insight into the global supply chain and distribution network of one of the world's most recognizable food brands. The company's ability to adapt its ketchup recipes and manufacturing locations to local tastes and preferences also highlights the importance of localization in the packaged food industry.

The details

The process of making Heinz ketchup starts at tomato farms that partner with Kraft Heinz. The tomatoes are harvested and shipped to a processor in Los Banos, California to become tomato paste. This paste is then sent to the two main U.S. Heinz ketchup factories in Fremont, Ohio (opened in 1937) and Muscatine, Iowa (opened in 1893), where it is blended into the final ketchup product. Heinz also has ketchup plants in other countries, including Quebec, Canada; Elst, Netherlands; Wigan, United Kingdom; Nerópolis, Brazil; and Badajoz, Spain, to cater to local tastes and reduce transportation costs.

  • Heinz ketchup was first launched in 1876.
  • The Fremont, Ohio Heinz plant opened in 1937.
  • The Muscatine, Iowa Heinz plant opened in 1893.
  • Heinz merged with Kraft in 2015.
  • In 2020, the Elst, Netherlands plant produced 1.8 million bottles of ketchup per day.

The players

Kraft Heinz

The parent company that owns the Heinz ketchup brand and operates the various ketchup manufacturing facilities around the world.

Hector Osorno

The former ketchup master at Kraft Heinz, who provided an inside look at the ketchup production process.

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What they’re saying

“I'd make 18 mini batches of sample ketchup from the tomato paste daily to taste-test it, confirming each batch of Heinz ketchup would taste exactly the same, no matter which plant manufactured it.”

— Hector Osorno, Former Ketchup Master (NPR)

What’s next

Kraft Heinz continues to invest in its global ketchup production capabilities, with a $190 million upgrade to its Wigan, UK facility in 2021 to accommodate most of the UK's ketchup production.

The takeaway

Heinz ketchup's global manufacturing footprint demonstrates the company's ability to adapt its iconic product to local tastes and preferences around the world, while maintaining the consistent quality and flavor that has made it a household staple for over a century.