Classification
Product TypeProcessed Food
Product FormCured/Brined (Table Olives)
Industry PositionValue-Added Processed Vegetable Product
Market
Cured (brined/processed) table olives in China are primarily supplied through imports under HS 200570 (olives prepared/preserved otherwise than by vinegar/acetic acid, not frozen). In 2024, China imported about USD 3.812 million (about 1,429,110 kg) of HS 200570, with Spain as the dominant supplier by both value and volume. China Customs import control for packaged foods includes label/packaging compliance checks, importer record-keeping obligations, and oversight actions for noncompliance under GACC Decree No. 249 (effective 2022-01-01). Overseas producer registration/pack marking requirements are undergoing an explicit regulatory change on 2026-06-01 when GACC Decree No. 280 takes effect and repeals Decree No. 248.
Market RoleNet importer (HS 200570) and domestic consumer market; limited domestic olive growing exists but imported cured/table olives dominate recorded trade flow
Domestic RoleDomestic olive cultivation and processing activity exists in southwest/northwest China (e.g., Longnan/Wudu in Gansu), but cured/table olive market supply for China is strongly linked to imported HS 200570 volumes, with imports dominated by Spain in 2024 trade data.
SeasonalityShelf-stable product; import-led market availability is generally year-round rather than harvest-season constrained at retail.
Specification
Physical Attributes- Quality expectations for imported table olives often reference uniformity and defect tolerances (e.g., abnormal texture/colour, blemishes, pit fragments) consistent with Codex CXS 66-1981.
Compositional Metrics- Brine/packing medium control parameters referenced in Codex CXS 66-1981 include minimum salt levels by preparation and maximum pH limits (e.g., max pH 4.3 for treated and natural olives; minimum NaCl levels such as 5% for treated and 6% for natural preparations).
Grades- Trade category language may reference Codex CXS 66-1981 categories such as “Extra/Fancy/A”, “First/Choice/B”, and “Second/Standard/C”.
Packaging- Hermetically sealed containers (e.g., jars/cans) with packing brine are typical for shelf-stable trade; Codex CXS 66-1981 specifies minimum drained-weight concepts by style (e.g., whole vs. pitted/stuffed) and fill-of-container expectations.
- For China import clearance, packaging labels and markings are subject to China Customs checks for compliance with laws and national food safety standards (including Chinese-label compliance for imported prepackaged foods).
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Overseas olive sourcing → curing/debittering and brining/fermentation and/or heat treatment → grading/sizing → (optional) pitting/slicing/stuffing → packing in brine into hermetically sealed containers → sea freight to China port → China Customs document review + on-site inspection/sampling as required → importer storage → domestic distribution
Temperature- Typically ambient distribution for shelf-stable sealed product; protect containers from temperature extremes and physical shock (e.g., glass breakage risk).
Freight IntensityHigh
Transport ModeSea
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighChina Customs can block clearance of imported prepackaged cured olives if the shipment’s Chinese label is missing or the Chinese label does not comply with Chinese laws and national food safety standards; if the importer refuses required actions (destruction, return, or technical treatment), penalties apply under GACC Decree No. 249, and the lot may be forced into disposal outcomes rather than entering the market.Run a pre-shipment Chinese label compliance review against GB 7718-2011 (and GB 28050-2011 where applicable), align with the importer’s label templates, and confirm the importer’s readiness to execute Customs-directed technical treatment if needed.
Regulatory Compliance MediumA regulatory transition occurs on 2026-06-01: GACC Decree No. 280 takes effect and simultaneously repeals Decree No. 248, changing the governing text for overseas producer registration management; process or documentation mismatches during this changeover can disrupt shipments.Coordinate with the China importer and exporter-side competent authority/agent to confirm which decree and implementation details apply at the shipment date (before vs. on/after 2026-06-01) and ensure packaging marking/registration-number requirements are met.
Food Safety MediumCured/table olives rely on controlled brine fermentation and/or heat treatment for stability; inadequate process control (e.g., brine pH/salt outside specification, spoilage/abnormal fermentation defects) increases the risk of failing buyer specs or border sampling checks.Implement HACCP controls for fermentation/acidification, salt/pH monitoring, seal integrity, and final product verification aligned with Codex CXS 66-1981 expectations and importer specifications.
Logistics MediumSea-freight disruption and cost volatility can materially affect delivered cost and service levels because cured olives are typically shipped in heavy liquid-packed retail containers (glass jars/cans) with elevated breakage/leakage exposure.Use robust secondary packaging and palletization, specify container stuffing/liner protections, and plan safety stock for longer lead times during ocean freight disruption periods.
Sustainability- Water stress/drought exposure in parts of northwest China (e.g., Longnan, Gansu) is cited as a constraint for the domestic olive industry; this can limit any local raw-olive supply contribution to a cured/table olive value chain.
Labor & Social- No widely documented, product-specific labor controversy was identified in this record for cured/table olives in China; importers may still apply general supplier due-diligence expectations for labor compliance.
Standards- HACCP-based food safety management (Codex HACCP principles and guidelines) may be used as a buyer/importer audit baseline for shelf-stable processed foods.
FAQ
Where does China mainly import cured/table olives (HS 200570) from?Based on UN Comtrade data via World Bank WITS for 2024 (HS 200570), Spain is China’s largest supplier by both import value and quantity. Other smaller suppliers listed include Italy, the United Kingdom, Greece and Turkey.
What is the biggest China-specific compliance risk for imported prepackaged cured olives at the border?Chinese-label compliance is a key deal-breaker risk: under GACC Decree No. 249, Customs enforcement can be triggered if imported prepackaged foods are found without a Chinese label or with a Chinese label that does not comply with Chinese laws and national food safety standards, and the importer refuses to carry out required disposal actions (destroy/return/technical treatment).
What regulatory change should exporters watch for in 2026 for overseas producer registration to China?GACC Decree No. 280 takes effect on June 1, 2026 and simultaneously repeals Decree No. 248. Exporters and their China importers should confirm which decree’s implementation requirements apply on the shipment date and ensure packaging marking and registration-number compliance.