Market
Frozen raspberry (typically IQF) is produced in China, with major cultivation areas reported across northern provinces such as Liaoning, Jilin and Heilongjiang, alongside additional production cited in provinces including Hebei, Henan, Xinjiang and Yunnan. International trade statistics for HS 081120 (frozen raspberries/blackberries/mulberries/loganberries/currants/gooseberries) indicate China is an active exporter; WITS reports exports of 44,975.29 (thousand USD) in 2024 with 23,269,800 kg, up from 25,639.48 (thousand USD) and 11,669,600 kg in 2023. Key reported 2024 destinations include the Russian Federation, Germany, the Netherlands, Australia and Canada. Because HS 081120 aggregates multiple berries, the trade figures should be treated as a proxy for “frozen raspberry” rather than raspberry-only totals.
Market RoleProducer, processor, and exporter (HS 081120 frozen berries category); domestic processing market
Domestic RoleA significant share of Chinese raspberry production has been reported as exported frozen, with additional utilization reported in processing such as juice and wine and smaller volumes for fresh-market sales.
Market GrowthGrowing (2023–2024 export trend)export value and volume increased from 2023 to 2024 for HS 081120 in UN Comtrade (via WITS)
SeasonalityRaspberry harvest is seasonal in producing regions, but quick-freezing enables year-round market availability as a frozen ingredient for domestic processors and export programs.
Risks
Food Safety HighEnteric viruses (notably hepatitis A virus and norovirus) are a recognized, recurring hazard for fresh and frozen berries in global supply chains; outbreaks and investigations have linked frozen berries to hepatitis A incidents, and importing markets can respond with recalls, intensified testing, or shipment disruptions.Implement a HACCP/FSMS that explicitly addresses enteric-virus contamination routes (worker hygiene, sanitary facilities, prevention of cross-contamination in processing), strengthen supplier/worker health controls, and align verification testing and documentation with destination-market expectations.
Regulatory Compliance MediumChina’s export-food process can involve customs pre-export application, on-site inspection, and sampling/testing based on inspection requirements; document inconsistencies or inspection failures can delay shipments or prevent export.Run pre-shipment document reconciliation (contract/invoice/packing list/lot IDs), maintain auditable lot traceability files, and confirm destination-country certificate requirements before booking.
Logistics MediumQuick-frozen foods are expected to be maintained at -18°C or colder through storage and transport; reefer disruptions, temperature excursions, or monitoring gaps can cause quality deterioration and buyer rejection.Use validated reefer set points and loading practices, require continuous temperature logging, and agree rejection/claims protocols (including data-sharing) with buyers in contracts.
Climate MediumChina’s raspberry production is reported to be concentrated across multiple northern and inland provinces, and published research notes that climatic suitability and geographic distribution patterns for Rubus idaeus in China are climate-sensitive, implying medium-term production-location and yield variability risk.Diversify procurement across multiple producing provinces and consider protected cultivation/season-extension suppliers where commercially viable.
Documentation Gap LowTrade reporting commonly uses HS 081120, which aggregates raspberries with other berries (e.g., blackberries, mulberries, currants/gooseberries); category-level trade figures may overstate or understate raspberry-only flows for China.Specify product identity (raspberry-only vs mixed berries), pack style (whole vs crumble), and intended end-use on commercial documents; request partner-country HS8/HS10 line items when available for analytics.
Standards- HACCP-based food safety management (Codex-aligned)
- ISO 22000 (food safety management systems)
- BRCGS Global Standard Food Safety (GFSI-benchmarked private standard commonly used in international trade)
FAQ
Which HS code is commonly used to track China’s trade in frozen raspberries?A commonly used proxy in UN Comtrade-based datasets is HS 081120, described as frozen raspberries/blackberries/mulberries/loganberries/currants/gooseberries. Because this HS line aggregates multiple berries, it does not represent raspberry-only trade on its own.
Where did China’s HS 081120 frozen-berry exports mainly go in 2024?UN Comtrade-based WITS reporting for China’s HS 081120 exports in 2024 lists major destinations including the Russian Federation, Germany, the Netherlands, Australia and Canada.
What is the most critical food-safety risk for frozen berries in international trade?Enteric viruses such as hepatitis A virus and norovirus are a key risk for fresh and frozen berries globally. Regulators have linked outbreaks to frozen berries and have issued prevention strategies focused on hygiene and cross-contamination controls, meaning an incident can trigger recalls and major shipment disruption.