Market
Dried onion flakes in Israel function primarily as an imported, shelf-stable seasoning/ingredient used by spice and seasoning blenders and downstream food manufacturers. UN Comtrade data accessed via the World Bank WITS platform indicates Israel imported HS 071220 (dried onions, including flakes) with a recorded import value of about USD 5.057 million and quantity about 1,670 tonnes in 2024, with key supply coming from India and the United States. Market access and shipment release are governed by Israel’s Ministry of Health National Food Services importer registration, importer declaration/approvals, and port quarantine-station procedures. Regional security-driven shipping disruption (notably Red Sea route risk) can materially affect lead times and landed costs for inbound shipments, making inventory buffers and routing flexibility important.
Market RoleNet importer
Domestic RoleIngredient market supporting domestic spice/seasoning blending and downstream food manufacturing and foodservice demand.
Market GrowthGrowing (2023–2024 observed change)import value increased from 2023 to 2024
Risks
Logistics HighRegional security disruptions affecting Red Sea/Suez-adjacent shipping can force route diversions, raise insurance and freight costs, and reduce service reliability into Israel; this can materially delay inbound dried onion ingredient shipments and increase landed cost volatility.Build safety stock in Israel, diversify origins and carriers, plan longer lead times during disruption periods, and maintain contingency routings (including Mediterranean port options and alternative transshipment plans).
Regulatory Compliance MediumImport release depends on correct Ministry of Health importer registration and use of the appropriate import track (regular declaration vs sensitive procedures); missing or mismatched approvals/manufacturer details can trigger delays and potential sampling/lab testing at quarantine stations.Align product identity (manufacturer/site/country), labels, and documentation to the importer’s registered records; pre-validate whether the product falls under regular vs sensitive classifications before shipment.
Food Safety MediumImported foods can be subject to chemical and microbiological testing through Ministry of Health-linked laboratory and quarantine-station processes; lots selected for sampling can face extended clearance timelines and conditional release constraints.Maintain a consistent supplier QA program (COA, micro/contaminant specs) and be prepared for sampling holds; ensure packaging integrity to prevent moisture-related quality deterioration during transit.
Regulatory Compliance MediumLabeling non-compliance can block or delay commercialization; packaged foods in Israel may require front-of-pack red warning symbols when nutrient thresholds are exceeded (notably relevant for blends or salted onion-flake products rather than 100% onion).Finalize Hebrew-compliant labeling early and validate nutrition panel/red-symbol applicability for the exact SKU formulation intended for Israel.
Reputation And Human Rights MediumIsrael-linked trade can face heightened scrutiny related to activities connected to Israeli settlements in occupied territories, including public reporting (e.g., UN Human Rights Office database updates) and origin-labeling requirements in certain export markets; this can create reputational and downstream compliance risk if production location traceability is weak.Maintain auditable site-of-production traceability and origin documentation; assess customer-market requirements for origin labeling and human-rights due diligence where relevant.
Sustainability- Geopolitical and human-rights due diligence expectations can arise for companies operating in or trading with Israel, particularly where business activity could intersect with settlement-related concerns and related public reporting frameworks; robust traceability of production location can be necessary for downstream compliance in certain export markets.
Labor & Social- Geopolitical conflict and associated sanctions/war-risk insurance dynamics can create labor and social risk externalities (e.g., disruptions affecting port operations and supply continuity) and can trigger enhanced counterparty and destination due diligence requirements.
Standards- HACCP (widely used food safety management approach referenced by Israeli standards bodies and used by in-market spice/seasoning operators in their QA positioning)
FAQ
What HS code is typically used for dried onion flakes when exporting to or importing into Israel?Dried onion flakes are typically classified under HS 071220 (dried onions, whole/cut/sliced/broken/in powder, not further prepared).
Which countries are the main suppliers of Israel’s imports of dried onions (HS 071220)?UN Comtrade data accessed via the World Bank WITS platform shows Israel’s imports of HS 071220 are led by India and the United States, with smaller volumes from other origins such as Egypt and China (varying by year).
What are the key Ministry of Health steps to import plant-based dried onion products into Israel?Israel’s Ministry of Health National Food Services describes an importer flow that starts with obtaining an importer registration certificate, then using the relevant import track (e.g., online declaration/approval for regular food where applicable), and finally completing quarantine-station processing and shipment release at the port/airport/land crossing, which may include administrative review and possible sampling/lab testing.