Heirloom plant conservationist Amy P. Goldman calls the San Marzano "the most important industrial tomato of the 20th century"; its commercial introduction in 1926 provided canneries with a "sturdy, flawless subject, and breeders with genes they'd be raiding for decades". Though commercial production of the San Marzano variety is most closely associated with Italy, seeds for the variety are available worldwide.
The San Marzano tomato's significance lies in its role as an important industrial variety, particularly for the canning industry, which benefited from its consistent quality and suitability for processing. This led to its widespread use by canneries and its importance for breeding programs.