Classification
Product TypeProcessed Food
Product FormDehydrated/Dried
Industry PositionProcessed Fruit Product
Market
Dehydrated plum (dried prunes; HS 081320) in Mexico is an import-dependent processed-fruit category. UN Comtrade data (via WITS) indicates Mexico imported about 36,080.62 thousand USD of dried prunes in 2023, mainly from Chile and the United States. Market access hinges on COFEPRIS sanitary import procedures (via VUCEM) and compliance with Mexico’s NOM-051 prepackaged food labeling rules.
Market RoleNet importer
Domestic RoleDomestic demand is met primarily through imports; imported product supplies retail packaged dried fruit and industrial/foodservice ingredient demand.
Market Growth
Risks
Regulatory Labeling HighNon-compliance with Mexico’s NOM-051 prepackaged food labeling requirements can lead to customs/market-entry delays, forced relabeling, or enforcement actions that effectively block commercialization.Run a pre-shipment label and dossier review against NOM-051 and the intended sales format (retail vs. industrial), including Spanish text, ingredient/additive declarations, lot/date fields, and importer responsibility details.
Supply Concentration MediumMexico’s HS 081320 supply is highly concentrated in a small number of origin countries (notably Chile and the United States), increasing vulnerability to crop shocks, export disruptions, or policy/logistics disruptions in those origins.Qualify secondary origins and maintain safety stock or flexible contracts to cover seasonal or disruption-driven shortfalls.
Food Safety and Date Control MediumShipments with inadequate lot/date controls (including expired product) can be blocked under Mexico’s sanitary control rules, creating write-off and compliance exposure.Apply receiving QA with lot/expiry verification, retention samples, and documented traceability linking import lots to distribution batches.
Logistics MediumFreight-rate volatility and multimodal disruptions can materially change landed costs and delivery reliability for dried prunes supplied from Chile (sea) and the U.S. (land), impacting importer margins and shelf availability.Use indexed freight clauses where feasible, diversify routing/carriers, and lock capacity ahead of peak shipping periods.
Standards- HACCP
- BRCGS Food Safety
- FSSC 22000
- ISO 22000
FAQ
What HS code is commonly used for dried prunes (dehydrated plums) in trade statistics?Dried prunes are classified under HS 081320 (Fruit, edible; prunes, dried).
Which countries supply most of Mexico’s dried prune imports?In 2023, Mexico’s imports of HS 081320 were sourced mainly from Chile and the United States (UN Comtrade data via WITS).
What is the key labeling standard for selling packaged dehydrated plums in Mexico?Mexico’s NOM-051-SCFI/SSA1-2010 sets the general labeling requirements for prepackaged foods sold in Mexico, including imported products.