Market
Israel’s dried apricot market is primarily supplied by imports, with UN Comtrade-derived WITS data indicating imports of HS 081310 totaled about USD 8.715 million (1,373,070 kg) in 2022. Türkiye was the dominant supplier, with additional imports reported from Uzbekistan and smaller volumes from other origins. Imported plant-based foods are supervised by the Ministry of Health’s National Food Services, requiring importer registration, product declarations/approvals, and shipment release through quarantine stations at ports/border crossings. The product is shelf-stable and available year-round, but regional security escalation can disrupt transport/insurance conditions and create delays that affect landed cost and lead times.
Market RoleImport-dependent consumer market (net importer)
Domestic RoleShelf-stable dried fruit category supplied mainly by imports for retail and foodservice consumption
SeasonalityYear-round availability driven by shelf-stable product form and import supply programs.
Risks
Security And Logistics HighRegional security escalation has caused travel and transport disruption risk; sudden restrictions, elevated insurance requirements, or operational constraints can delay imports through Israel’s ports/border crossings and increase landed costs for sea-freight shipments.Build buffer stock in-market, diversify origin options beyond the dominant supplier base, and monitor official government advisories and carrier notices for route/port risk changes.
Regulatory Compliance HighImport clearance is conditional on Ministry of Health controls (importer registration, product declaration/approval, and quarantine-station processing); documentation mismatches or missing approvals can prevent release of plant-based food shipments.Align product master data (manufacturer, supplier, origin, label/ingredient/additive status) with approved records and run a pre-shipment document checklist mapped to the National Food Services import track.
Supplier Concentration MediumIsrael’s HS 081310 supply is heavily concentrated in Türkiye by value/volume (2022), increasing exposure to origin-side shocks (crop/quality/logistics) that can tighten availability or raise prices.Qualify secondary origins (e.g., Uzbekistan, United States, South Africa) and pre-negotiate substitution specs (colour/moisture/additive profile) to switch supply when needed.
Food Safety MediumSulphured dried apricots rely on sulfite preservatives (e.g., sulfur dioxide); non-compliant additive use or labeling/information gaps can trigger detention, testing delays, rejection, or recalls.Specify and test residual sulfites to an agreed standard, maintain additive documentation aligned to Codex GSFA where relevant, and ensure product information provided to Israeli authorities matches the shipment.
Labor & Social- Regional security conditions can increase reputational and operational scrutiny for companies operating in or trading with Israel; ensure customer-facing communications and compliance controls are robust.
FAQ
What are the typical Ministry of Health steps to import plant-based dried apricots into Israel?The Ministry of Health’s National Food Services describes a staged process for imported foods: obtain an importer registration certificate, submit the appropriate product declaration/approval (regular vs sensitive classification), and then have the shipment processed at a quarantine station on arrival before it can be released for customs clearance.
Which countries are the main suppliers of dried apricots to Israel?UN Comtrade-derived WITS data for 2022 shows Israel imported dried apricots (HS 081310) mainly from Türkiye, with additional imports from Uzbekistan and smaller volumes from other origins.
What HS code is commonly used for dried apricots in trade statistics?The UN Statistics Division lists HS 2012 code 081310 for dried apricots, which is the standard 6-digit HS code commonly used in trade statistics.