Classification
Product TypeProcessed Food
Product FormDried
Industry PositionProcessed Agricultural Product
Market
Dried apricots (HS 081310) in Mongolia are primarily an import-supplied, packaged dried-fruit product sold through urban retail and wholesale channels. UN Comtrade data surfaced via the World Bank WITS portal indicates Mongolia sourced dried apricots in 2023 mainly from Turkey and Uzbekistan, with smaller shipments from the EU (including Germany and Poland). USDA FAS’ Mongolia Exporter Guide (2018) characterizes Mongolia as accustomed to importing food products due to agricultural production constraints and highlights a growing modern retail sector (hypermarkets, supermarkets, convenience stores) alongside price-sensitive shopping behavior. For traded product specifications, Codex CXS 130-1981 and UNECE DDP-15 (2016) are commonly used reference standards for dried apricot quality, presentation styles, moisture, defects and related labeling conventions.
Market RoleImport-dependent consumer market (net importer)
Domestic RoleNiche packaged dried-fruit snack and baking/ingredient product segment supplied mainly by imports, with demand concentrated in Ulaanbaatar-focused modern retail and wholesale distribution.
SeasonalityShelf-stable product availability is generally year-round, but procurement and shipment planning can be influenced by Mongolia’s landlocked logistics and seasonal transport constraints noted for imported foods (USDA FAS Exporter Guide, 2018).
Specification
Physical Attributes- Presentation styles commonly recognized in trade include whole (unpitted or pitted), halves, and slabs (Codex CXS 130-1981; UNECE DDP-15, 2016).
- Trade reference standards emphasize sound, clean product free from living pests/mites, without abnormal external humidity, and free of foreign smell/taste (UNECE DDP-15, 2016).
Compositional Metrics- Moisture content limits in Codex CXS 130-1981: unsulphured dried apricots not treated with sorbic acid ≤20% m/m; sulphured and/or sorbic-acid-treated dried apricots ≤25% m/m.
Packaging- Moisture-barrier packaging (consumer packs or bulk packs) is used to protect dried apricots from humidity pickup and foreign-odour absorption during storage and inland transport.
- For products placed on the Mongolian market, labeling/relabeling should meet Mongolia’s food packaging labeling standard referenced in national legal documentation (MNS 6648:2016 is explicitly referenced in a Legalinfo.mn regulation).
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Exporter packing → inland/rail/road consolidation → cross-border transit (typically via neighboring corridors) → Mongolian customs declaration/clearance → importer warehouse → distribution to modern retail and traditional channels
Temperature- Ambient storage and transport are typical; maintain dry conditions and avoid condensation/water ingress to prevent moisture pickup and mould risk.
Atmosphere Control- Low-humidity handling is critical; dried apricots can absorb moisture and odours, so sealed moisture/odour barrier packaging is important for long-distance inland logistics.
Shelf Life- Shelf-life risk is driven mainly by moisture pickup, oxidation and contamination during repacking/handling; first-expiry-first-out (FEFO) and intact packaging integrity are important.
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeMultimodal
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighBorder release delays can occur if testing/import requirements are unclear or applied inconsistently; USDA FAS (2018) reports cases of repeated testing and limited recourse when requirements are vague for imported food products, which can disrupt supply even for shelf-stable goods like dried apricots.Before shipment, align on a written document/testing checklist with the Mongolian importer; prepare a complete dossier (invoice/packing list/origin documents) and retain accredited lab results for key quality parameters (moisture, additives) to support clearance if challenged.
Food Safety MediumNon-compliance with additive or quality parameters (e.g., sulphur dioxide or sorbic acid levels, moisture and mould/foreign-matter tolerances) can trigger detention, rejection or recall risk. Codex CXS 130-1981 specifies maxima for sulphur dioxide (2000 mg/kg) and sorbic acid/sorbates (500 mg/kg expressed as sorbic acid) for dried apricots.Contractually require supplier COAs and periodic third-party testing for SO2 and sorbates; specify Codex/UNECE reference specs in purchase contracts and verify incoming lots against agreed tolerances.
Logistics MediumAs a landlocked market, Mongolia faces higher transport costs and longer lead times for imported foods; USDA FAS (2018) highlights high transportation costs and long transportation wait times that can affect replenishment and pricing for imported packaged foods.Hold safety stock in Ulaanbaatar warehouses, diversify route options where feasible, and plan ordering with longer lead times during periods of corridor congestion.
Sustainability- Long-distance inland transport emissions and energy use associated with supplying a landlocked market
- Packaging waste from small consumer packs and secondary repacking/relabeling
FAQ
Which HS code is commonly used for dried apricots in trade statistics for Mongolia?Dried apricots are classified under HS 081310 within heading HS 0813 (dried fruits) as shown in the UN Statistics Division HS structure.
Which countries supplied dried apricots to Mongolia in the latest available UN Comtrade snapshot referenced here?UN Comtrade data displayed via the World Bank WITS portal for 2023 (HS 081310) shows Turkey and Uzbekistan as leading supplying partners to Mongolia, with smaller shipments from the European Union (including Germany and Poland).
What are the key Codex additive limits commonly referenced for dried apricots?Codex CXS 130-1981 for dried apricots specifies maximum levels of 2000 mg/kg for sulphur dioxide (SO2) and 500 mg/kg for sorbic acid and its sodium/potassium salts (expressed as sorbic acid).
What labeling reference is relevant for placing imported packaged dried apricots on the Mongolian market?MNS 6648:2016 is explicitly referenced in a Legalinfo.mn regulation related to food labeling compliance; importers commonly need Mongolian-language labeling/relabeling to meet local packaging label requirements.