Classification
Product TypeProcessed Food
Product FormDried (Desiccated; shredded/flaked)
Industry PositionProcessed Agricultural Product / Food Ingredient
Market
Desiccated coconut in Bolivia is primarily an import-dependent processed fruit ingredient used in bakery, confectionery, and household cooking. As a shelf-stable dried product, availability is generally year-round and driven more by import logistics and customs clearance than by local harvest cycles. Market access is shaped by SENASAG food safety registration and prior import authorization requirements for foods and beverages. For trade classification, desiccated coconut is commonly aligned to HS 080111 (HS 2017).
Market RoleNet importer; import-dependent consumer and food-manufacturing market
Domestic RoleImported dry ingredient used in baking and food preparation; distributed via retail and ingredient wholesalers
SeasonalityYear-round availability driven by imports; not tied to Bolivia harvest seasonality.
Specification
Physical Attributes- Color: natural white to light creamy white (Codex)
- Odour/flavour: characteristic; not mouldy, fermented, or rancid (Codex)
- Granulometry (optional sizing): extra-fine, fine, medium, and other/fancy cuts (Codex)
Compositional Metrics- Moisture: ≤ 4% m/m (Codex)
- Oil content categories (Codex): high fat (≥ 60% m/m) for product without partial oil extraction; reduced fat (≥ 35% and < 60% m/m) for partially de-oiled presentation
- Ash: ≤ 2.5% m/m (Codex)
- Total acidity of extracted oil: ≤ 0.3% m/m as lauric acid (Codex)
Grades- Sizing/particle presentation (extra-fine/fine/medium/other) commonly used as a commercial specification handle; labeling may indicate sizing and oil content per Codex guidance
Packaging- Moisture-barrier packaging and dry storage practices to protect low-moisture product quality (Codex hygienic practice referenced by Codex standard)
- Lot identification and manufacturer/packer/importer identification for traceability on non-retail containers (Codex)
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Coconut processing (origin) → drying/sifting and packing → export shipment → Bolivia import authorization and customs clearance → importer/wholesaler distribution → retail and bakery/foodservice use
Temperature- Ambient dry-chain handling: protect from moisture uptake and high humidity during transport and storage
Atmosphere Control- Use clean, dry, well-sealed containers/liners to reduce moisture ingress and odor absorption
Shelf Life- Shelf life is sensitive to moisture exposure and rancidity risk; dry, sealed storage and lot rotation support quality maintenance
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeMultimodal
Risks
Food Safety HighPathogen contamination (e.g., Salmonella reported in coconut products) or physical contamination (e.g., plastic fragments reported in desiccated coconut recalls) can trigger import holds, rejection, recalls, and reputational damage in Bolivia’s imported ingredient market.Use qualified suppliers with documented preventive controls; require microbiological testing/COAs, foreign-body control (sieving/metal detection), and maintain lot-level traceability aligned to packaging and import documents.
Regulatory Compliance MediumMissing or inconsistent SENASAG documentation (e.g., sanitary/health certificate of origin, invoice/packing list inconsistencies) can delay clearance or block entry for imported foods and beverages.Run a pre-shipment document audit against SENASAG prior import authorization requirements and ensure label/product identity matches the certificate and invoice description.
Logistics MediumBolivia’s landlocked logistics and reliance on cross-border corridors can create delay risk and cost volatility for imported dried ingredients, affecting service levels to bakeries and retail.Hold safety stock, diversify routing/forwarders where feasible, and align replenishment lead times with corridor and customs variability.
Labor And Animal Welfare MediumCoconut harvesting has a documented international controversy regarding alleged monkey labor in Thailand; sourcing from implicated origins without credible assurance can create customer and reputational risk for Bolivian importers and downstream brands.Implement origin-level due diligence, require supplier declarations and credible third-party/competent-authority assurance where available, and document traceability to farms/collectors for Thailand-origin supply.
Sustainability- Upstream origin-country due diligence may be requested by buyers (e.g., responsible sourcing controls), especially when sourcing from regions with documented labor/animal-welfare controversies in coconut harvesting.
Labor & Social- Coconut supply chains have faced international scrutiny over alleged forced monkey labor in parts of Thailand; importers may need origin-level traceability and supplier assurance (e.g., official audit/certification claims) when sourcing from Thailand.
Standards- HACCP
- ISO 22000
- FSSC 22000
- BRCGS Food Safety
FAQ
What HS code is commonly used to classify desiccated coconut for trade reporting?In the HS 2017 classification, desiccated coconuts are listed under code 080111 ("Nuts, edible; coconuts, desiccated").
Which documents are commonly required for SENASAG prior import authorization for foods and beverages in Bolivia?SENASAG’s prior import authorization requirements (as published via Bolivia’s VUCE) include completed application/forms and document copies such as the commercial invoice (FOB value), packing list, and a product-specific sanitary/health certificate of origin, among other items depending on product category.
What are key Codex quality parameters for desiccated coconut that buyers often reference?Codex STAN 177 describes desiccated coconut quality factors (natural white to light creamy color; characteristic odor and flavor without rancidity) and sets chemical/physical characteristics such as moisture ≤ 4% m/m, ash ≤ 2.5% m/m, and foreign matter absence in 100 g, alongside optional sizing definitions (extra-fine, fine, medium, and other cuts).