Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormFresh
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Market
Fresh grapes in Singapore function primarily as an import-dependent fresh fruit category supplied through international trade. In 2023, Singapore imported fresh grapes (HS 080610) valued at about USD 61.1 million (about 18.0 million kg), with China, Australia, the United States, South Africa, and Egypt among the largest sources by value. Distribution is centered on modern grocery retailers and online grocery, alongside wet markets and fruit retailers. Market-access and continuity risk are most sensitive to pesticide residue compliance (including prohibited pesticides and MRL exceedances) and container labelling/permit correctness under Singapore’s fresh fruit and vegetable import controls.
Market RoleImport-dependent consumer market (net importer)
Domestic RoleDomestic consumption market supplied primarily by imports
SeasonalityYear-round retail availability is typically supported by diversified sourcing across origins with different harvest windows (e.g., Northern vs. Southern Hemisphere suppliers).
Specification
Packaging- Retail packs commonly sold in 500g units (example supermarket listing).
- Outer cartons/baskets used in trade must meet Singapore container labelling particulars for fresh fruits & vegetables.
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Origin producer/packer → export dispatch → refrigerated transport (sea reefer and/or air) → Singapore import declaration/permit via TradeNet → distribution (cold storage/wholesale) → retail and foodservice
Temperature- Chilled handling is emphasized at retail (refrigerated storage guidance provided in supermarket listings).
Shelf Life- Retail guidance for fresh grapes commonly emphasizes refrigerated storage and relatively short at-home consumption windows (example listing: best consumed within 8 days of delivery).
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeMultimodal
Risks
Food Safety HighNon-compliance on pesticide residues (including presence of prohibited pesticides or exceedance of prescribed MRLs) can trigger detention, enforcement action, and severe supply disruption for fresh grape consignments entering Singapore under the fresh fruits & vegetables import controls.Implement supplier pesticide-use due diligence and pre-shipment residue testing aligned to Singapore Food Regulations (Ninth Schedule) and Codex MRL references where applicable; retain test documentation to support import compliance.
Regulatory Compliance MediumContainer labelling omissions/mismatches (producer name/address, product description, export/packing date) and permit declaration errors can cause clearance delays, holds, or corrective actions at import.Use a pre-shipment label and document checklist mapped to SFA requirements; align commercial invoice/packing list/HS description to TradeNet declarations.
Logistics MediumFresh grapes are sensitive to cold-chain breaks; mode disruptions (reefer capacity, port congestion, flight constraints) or handling delays can quickly degrade quality and reduce sellable yield in Singapore’s retail market.Contract refrigerated logistics with defined temperature/handling SOPs; prioritize faster routings during high-risk periods and build contingency inventory plans across multiple origins.
Sustainability- Pesticide residue compliance and monitoring for imported grapes (MRL adherence and prohibited pesticide avoidance).
FAQ
What are the key import compliance requirements for bringing fresh grapes into Singapore for commercial sale?Fresh grapes are regulated as Fresh Fruits & Vegetables. Importers generally need the relevant SFA trader licence for importing/transhipping fresh fruits and vegetables and must obtain an import permit/cargo clearance permit through TradeNet before the goods arrive. Importers must also ensure compliance on pesticide residues (no prohibited pesticides and residues within prescribed limits) and meet the required container labelling particulars.
What container labelling details are required for imported fresh grapes under Singapore’s fresh fruits and vegetables controls?For fruits and vegetables, SFA states that every container (such as a carton or basket) must be labelled with the name and address of the producer, product description, and the date of export/packing.
Which countries were among Singapore’s largest fresh grape suppliers in 2023?Based on UN Comtrade data accessed via World Bank WITS for HS 080610, China, Australia, the United States, South Africa, and Egypt were among the largest sources of Singapore’s fresh grape imports by value in 2023.