Market
Dried apricots in Brazil are primarily an import-dependent dried-fruit product sold through retail, specialty food channels, and online commerce. UN Comtrade-based data indicate Brazil’s imports under HS 081310 are dominated by Turkey, making origin concentration a key commercial feature of the market. Market access hinges on compliance with Brazil’s import procedures and labeling controls under Siscomex and Anvisa, including restrictions on delivering products to consumers with foreign-language labeling. Agricultural surveillance (MAPA/VIGIAGRO) may apply risk-based inspection and document checks on arrival, creating potential clearance-time variability for shipments.
Market RoleImport-dependent consumer market (net importer)
Domestic RoleRetail dried fruit and food-ingredient product (snacking and culinary use)
SeasonalityYear-round availability driven by imports; supply continuity depends on import shipping schedules and clearance performance.
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighLabeling and sanitary-regularization noncompliance can block delivery to consumers in Brazil: Anvisa restricts delivery to consumption of imported products with foreign-language labeling and can impose conditional release/controls where Portuguese labeling is noncompliant, creating a direct risk of holds, relabeling orders, and delayed commercialization.Prepare Brazil-compliant Portuguese labeling and traceability fields (manufacturer, lot, validity) before shipment where possible; if relabeling in Brazil is planned, align the process with Anvisa regularization steps and maintain controlled storage and documented label translation.
Food Safety MediumDried apricots are a low-moisture food; low-moisture products can still carry pathogens (notably Salmonella) and can face quality/safety rejections for mold/foreign matter/pit fragments if preventive controls and sorting are inadequate.Require HACCP/GMP controls aligned to Codex low-moisture guidance; implement validated cleaning/sorting, foreign-matter control (e.g., metal detection), and a risk-based microbiological/quality testing plan.
Biosecurity MediumMAPA/VIGIAGRO may direct consignments to inspection, sampling, or treatment actions after documentation review, including in cases of atypical findings such as insects, which can delay clearance and increase costs.Use suppliers with robust pest-prevention controls, ensure packaging prevents infestation during storage/transport, and pre-align with the relevant VIGIAGRO unit on inspection expectations for the specific shipment profile.
Logistics MediumOcean freight variability and Brazil port/clearance time uncertainty can disrupt replenishment cycles; humidity/temperature exposure during inland handling can degrade product quality (texture, stickiness, color) and increase rework/repacking needs.Plan buffer inventory, use moisture-barrier packaging and desiccants where appropriate, and choose forwarders experienced with Siscomex/Anvisa/MAPA coordination to reduce dwell time.
Sustainability- Management of preservative use claims (e.g., preservative-free positioning) and related quality tradeoffs (color change) in Brazil retail channels
- Packaging integrity and waste considerations for small retail packs and vacuum/sealed formats used in Brazil e-commerce and specialty retail
Standards- HACCP-based food safety management commonly expected for dried-fruit processing and packing operations supplying import markets
FAQ
What HS/NCM code is commonly used to classify dried apricots for import into Brazil?Dried apricots are classified internationally under HS 081310, and in Brazil the corresponding NCM reference is commonly shown as 0813.10.00 (Damascos).
Where do Brazil’s dried apricot imports mainly come from?UN Comtrade-based import data for HS 081310 show Brazil’s imports are dominated by Turkey, with other origins contributing much smaller volumes and values.
Can dried apricots arrive in Brazil with foreign-language labels and be sold as-is?No. Anvisa restricts delivery to consumption of imported products with labeling in a foreign language (with limited exceptions for non-commercial imports). Anvisa indicates labeling in Brazil can be permitted after the product is formally regularized, following applicable sanitary legislation.