Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormFresh
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Market
Fresh Red Globe table grapes in Ecuador are an import-dependent consumer market within the broader fresh table grape category. UN Comtrade data via WITS indicates Ecuador imported about USD 27.7 million of fresh grapes (HS 080610) in 2024, with Chile the dominant supplier, followed by the United States and Peru. Variety-level import statistics for Red Globe are not separately identified at HS6 level, so Red Globe volumes are not directly observable in the trade data. Market access and border clearance are governed by Ecuador’s plant health/quarantine import control system administered by Agrocalidad, making phytosanitary compliance and document correctness central to avoiding clearance delays or rejection.
Market RoleNet importer (import-dependent consumer market)
Domestic RoleFresh fruit consumption market supplied largely via imports
Specification
Primary VarietyRed Globe
Physical Attributes- Large berry size and bunch integrity are typical commercial acceptance factors for Red Globe shipments
Grades- UNECE FFV-19 classes: Extra, Class I, Class II (international reference for table grapes)
Packaging- Commercial packages marked with product name, variety name, country of origin, and class per UNECE FFV-19 marking elements
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Exporter packhouse → refrigerated international shipment → Ecuador port/airport entry → Agrocalidad phytosanitary inspection/sampling (as applicable) → importer/wholesale distribution → retail
Temperature- Continuous cold-chain management is critical for arrival quality and shelf-life for imported fresh table grapes
Shelf Life- Shelf-life is highly sensitive to temperature breaks and delays during border clearance and inland distribution
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeSea
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighFailure to meet Ecuador’s Agrocalidad import phytosanitary control requirements (e.g., missing/incorrect PFI where applicable, document inconsistencies, or non-compliance detected during inspection/sampling) can block clearance or trigger delay, treatment, return, or rejection of fresh grape shipments.Before shipment, confirm the established Ecuador import requirements for the specific origin/commodity pathway; run a document-matching checklist (PFI/DDA/phytosanitary certificate where required) and align packing/marking to importer and inspection expectations.
Logistics MediumReefer capacity constraints, port delays, or clearance holds can cause temperature breaks that reduce quality and shrink sellable shelf-life for fresh table grapes.Use robust cold-chain SOPs (pre-cooling, reefer set-point verification, temperature monitoring) and plan for clearance time buffers during peak import windows.
Food Safety MediumPesticide-residue non-compliance relative to applicable limits for the destination market can lead to import holds, rejection, or downstream retail delisting risk.Implement residue-control programs with supplier testing and maintain traceable spray records aligned to destination requirements.
FAQ
Which countries supply most of Ecuador’s imported fresh grapes?UN Comtrade data via WITS for HS 080610 shows Chile as Ecuador’s largest supplier of imported fresh grapes in 2024, followed by the United States and Peru. The data is for all fresh grapes and does not identify Red Globe separately.
What is the main trade-compliance risk when importing fresh table grapes into Ecuador?The main risk is phytosanitary and documentation non-compliance under Agrocalidad’s plant-quarantine import control framework, which can result in clearance delays or shipment rejection if requirements are not met.
What reference standard can be used to define commercial classes and marking information for table grapes such as Red Globe?The UNECE table grapes standard (FFV-19) provides an internationally used reference for quality classes (e.g., Extra, Class I, Class II) and for key marking elements such as variety name, origin, and class.