Classification
Product TypeProcessed Food
Product FormDried
Industry PositionValue-added Processed Fruit Product
Market
Dried plum products in China are sold as shelf-stable packaged snacks and as ingredient-grade dried fruit for food manufacturing. Market access is strongly shaped by compliance with China’s national food safety standards for additives and prepackaged labeling, with enforcement risk concentrated around preservative use and label accuracy.
Market RoleLarge domestic consumer market with domestic processing; imports may supplement supply for some prune-style products
Domestic RolePackaged snack and ingredient dried-fruit category within China’s food market
Specification
Physical Attributes- Form specifications commonly differentiate pitted/seedless vs whole fruit and whole vs cut pieces
- Moisture/texture targets (soft-chewy vs drier bite) are key buyer acceptance parameters for consumer packs
Compositional Metrics- Moisture content specification is used to manage shelf stability and texture
- Preservative residue compliance (where preservatives are used) is a key release criterion under applicable standards
Packaging- Small retail pouches and multipacks for snack channels
- Bulk foodservice/industrial packs (lined cartons or bags) for ingredient use
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Raw plums (orchard sourcing) → receiving and sorting → washing → pitting (as specified) → drying/dehydration → conditioning and grading → (optional) seasoning/candied processing → packaging → distribution via e-commerce and retail
Temperature- Ambient transport is typical; humidity control during storage is important to prevent quality loss and microbial risk
Shelf Life- Shelf life is driven by moisture control, packaging barrier performance, and post-process contamination control
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeSea
Risks
Sanctions/human Rights HighUS-bound shipments can be detained or blocked if the supply chain cannot credibly rule out Xinjiang forced-labor linkage under UFLPA; this is a potential trade-stopping risk for China-origin food products when traceability is insufficient.Maintain orchard-to-factory traceability, origin documentation, supplier declarations, and (where required) third-party verification; segregate and document high-risk region exclusions for US/EU customers.
Food Safety HighNon-compliance with China’s food additive and labeling standards (e.g., preservative limits, undeclared additives, or label inaccuracies) can lead to customs detention, in-market enforcement actions, recalls, and delisting from major retail/e-commerce platforms.Implement additive-approval controls against GB standards, validate labels against GB 7718 requirements, and run pre-shipment COA and label checks for each SKU and lot.
Logistics MediumFreight-rate volatility and port disruption can reduce competitiveness for low-priced retail packs and delay replenishment cycles, especially for sea freight routes.Use flexible shipping windows, diversify forwarders/routes, and maintain safety stock for key SKUs during peak shipping disruption periods.
Sustainability- Packaging waste exposure is elevated for single-serve and multi-sachet snack formats, increasing scrutiny from retailers and brand ESG programs.
Labor & Social- For US-bound trade, China-origin agricultural and food products can face heightened forced-labor due diligence expectations; traceability gaps that suggest Xinjiang linkage can trigger detention risk under UFLPA.
Standards- HACCP
- ISO 22000 / FSSC 22000
- BRCGS Food Safety
FAQ
Which China standards are most critical for dried plum products regarding additives and labeling?Additive use is governed under China’s GB 2760 framework, and prepackaged labeling is governed under GB 7718. Non-compliance can trigger customs holds or in-market enforcement depending on the sales channel and inspection outcome.
What is the main trade-stopping compliance risk for US-bound dried plum shipments from China?If the supply chain cannot credibly rule out forced-labor linkage—especially any suspected Xinjiang connection—US Customs can detain or block shipments under UFLPA. Strong origin traceability and documentation are the main mitigations buyers expect.
Sources
National Health Commission of the PRC (NHC) / State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) — GB 2760 — National Food Safety Standard: Standards for Uses of Food Additives
National Health Commission of the PRC (NHC) / State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) — GB 7718 — National Standard: General Rules for Labeling of Prepackaged Foods
General Administration of Customs of the PRC (GACC) — Imported food safety supervision and customs clearance requirements (including overseas manufacturer registration where applicable)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) — Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) enforcement guidance and importer due diligence expectations
Codex Alimentarius Commission — Codex food additive and hygiene references used as international baselines (e.g., GSFA; General Principles of Food Hygiene)