Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormDried
Industry PositionDried vegetable / food ingredient raw material
Raw Material
Market
In China, dried lily bulbs are produced from edible lily varieties and used as a culinary ingredient and traditional food-use product; the country also supplies export markets, where compliance risk is driven mainly by importing-country residue limits (e.g., sulfites and pesticides) and documentation accuracy.
Market RoleProducer with export presence
Domestic RoleDomestic consumption ingredient market alongside export supply
SeasonalityFresh bulb harvest is seasonal, but drying enables year-round market availability.
Specification
Primary VarietyEdible lily bulb products commonly marketed under origin/cultivar references such as Lanzhou lily (Lilium davidii var. unicolor)
Physical Attributes- Uniform dried slices/chips with low defect rate (foreign matter, discoloration, breakage)
- Clean, non-musty odor with no visible mold growth
Compositional Metrics- Moisture control is a key acceptance parameter to reduce mold risk during storage and shipping
- Residue compliance checks may include sulfur dioxide (where sulfites are used) and pesticide residues
Grades- Buyer-specific grades based on slice size, color, dryness, and defect tolerances
Packaging- Moisture-barrier inner liner (sealed bag) inside carton for humidity protection during sea freight
- Clear lot identification on cartons/bags to support traceability and residue compliance checks
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Farm harvest/collection → cleaning/peeling/slicing → drying (hot-air or similar) → sorting/grading → packaging → export dispatch or domestic wholesale distribution
Temperature- Typically shipped as an ambient-stable dried product; protection from heat and humidity is prioritized over refrigeration
Shelf Life- Shelf life is primarily limited by moisture uptake; poor humidity control can lead to caking, quality loss, or mold claims
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeSea
Risks
Food Safety Residues HighBorder rejection, detention, or delisting risk is high if dried lily bulbs exceed importing-country limits for sulfur dioxide (where sulfites are used) and/or pesticide residues, or if contamination (e.g., mold-related issues) is detected.Use a buyer-aligned residue control plan (including sulfite policy), run accredited pre-shipment testing against destination limits, and enforce humidity control to prevent mold during storage and transit.
Documentation Gap MediumDocumentation inconsistencies (product identity, botanical description, lot coding, or certificate details) can trigger customs delays or additional inspections in destination markets.Standardize product naming/botanical description on all documents and align certificate fields with importer templates before shipment.
Logistics MediumFreight-rate and schedule volatility for containerized sea shipments can affect delivered cost and lead time, increasing inventory and quality-risk exposure if transit is prolonged in humid conditions.Contract moisture-protective packaging, use desiccants when appropriate, and build lead-time buffers during peak shipping disruption periods.
Sustainability- Agrochemical stewardship to meet importing-country pesticide residue limits
- Sulfite (sulfur dioxide) control and residue management where sulfur fumigation/preservation is used in dried-vegetable processing
Sources
General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC) — China customs export inspection and quarantine / certification references (including plant quarantine documentation where applicable)
National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China (NHC) — China National Food Safety Standards (GB) framework and related limits for contaminants/additives
State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), People's Republic of China — Food safety regulatory oversight and national standards publication context (GB standards administration)
Codex Alimentarius Commission (FAO/WHO) — General Standard for Food Additives (GSFA) and related additive use context for international trade
UN Comtrade (United Nations Statistics Division) — International merchandise trade statistics for relevant dried vegetable/edible plant product categories (for verifying export presence by HS category)