Classification
Product TypeProcessed Food
Product FormDried
Industry PositionProcessed Agricultural Product
Market
In Spain, dried apricots are primarily an import-supplied dried fruit product traded and consumed under EU single-market rules. UN Comtrade (via WITS) reports Spain imported about USD 11.9 million of HS 081310 (dried apricots) in 2023, with Turkey as the dominant origin by value and volume. Market access and ongoing trade are strongly shaped by EU food-safety controls for contaminants (notably mycotoxins) and pesticide residues, plus labeling requirements (including sulphites allergen declaration when applicable). Dried apricots are sold mainly through modern retail and used as an ingredient in snack, bakery, and cereal applications, with importer/packer repacking and private-label formats common in practice.
Market RoleNet importer (HS 081310 — dried apricots) within the EU single market
Domestic RoleConsumer market and ingredient market for retail dried fruit and food manufacturing uses (e.g., bakery, cereals, snack mixes)
SeasonalityYear-round market availability; procurement timing is driven by supplier-origin harvest/drying cycles and inventory management rather than Spain-specific harvest seasonality.
Specification
Physical Attributes- Color and visual appearance specifications (bright orange vs darker tones) often align with whether sulphites were used during processing
- Moisture/texture specifications (ready-to-eat soft vs extra-dry) are commonly set by buyers to manage shelf-life and mold risk
Compositional Metrics- Compliance screening for mycotoxins (e.g., aflatoxins and ochratoxin A) under EU contaminant limits
- Pesticide residue compliance against EU maximum residue levels (MRLs)
- Sulphur dioxide/sulphites level control where used as a preservative, including allergen declaration obligations above the EU threshold
Packaging- Bulk cartons with inner liners for importer/packer handling and repacking
- Retail pouches or trays with lot coding for traceability
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Origin drying/primary packing -> export -> EU import clearance into Spain -> importer/packer warehousing and (often) repacking/private-label -> retail and food manufacturing distribution
Temperature- Ambient transport is typical; storage should be cool and dry to reduce moisture uptake and mold risk
Shelf Life- Shelf-life performance is highly sensitive to moisture control during storage and distribution; packaging barrier quality and warehouse humidity management are key
Freight IntensityLow
Transport ModeMultimodal
Risks
Food Safety HighNon-compliance with EU contaminant limits for dried fruits (notably mycotoxins such as aflatoxins and ochratoxin A) can lead to border rejection, market withdrawal, or recall in Spain under EU official controls and RASFF-linked actions.Implement supplier approval with HACCP controls, require accredited-lab COAs for mycotoxins per lot, and use documented sorting/cleaning and moisture-control practices to reduce mold development risk.
Regulatory Compliance MediumSulphur dioxide/sulphites use (common in some dried apricot processing for preservation/color retention) creates a labeling and allergen-declaration compliance risk in Spain/EU if not correctly declared above the EU threshold.Verify additive use and SO2 levels with supplier documentation and testing as needed; ensure labels in Spanish comply with EU 1169/2011 allergen emphasis rules before placing product on the Spanish market.
Logistics MediumMoisture uptake during transit or warehousing can increase mold risk and quality degradation (texture, clumping), potentially resulting in non-compliance or customer rejection in Spain.Use moisture-barrier packaging, control warehouse humidity, and apply incoming QC checks (water activity/moisture, visual mold screening) with strict FEFO inventory discipline.
Supply Concentration MediumSpain’s import supply for HS 081310 is highly concentrated in a single origin (Turkey in UN Comtrade/WITS), increasing exposure to origin-specific disruptions (crop shocks, regulatory incidents, or trade friction).Diversify qualified origins/suppliers, maintain safety stock, and include substitution clauses and quality equivalency specs in contracts.
Sustainability- Energy use and emissions footprint from dehydration (hot-air drying) compared with fresh fruit
- Packaging waste and recyclability expectations in the EU market for retail dried fruit formats
Labor & Social- Upstream labor conditions risk in supplying-origin fruit harvesting and primary processing (Spain’s HS 081310 imports are dominated by Turkey per UN Comtrade/WITS), requiring supplier due diligence and auditability where buyers demand it
Standards- HACCP
- IFS Food
- BRCGS Food Safety
- ISO 22000
FAQ
Where does Spain mainly source dried apricots from?UN Comtrade data accessed via WITS shows that Spain’s HS 081310 (dried apricots) imports are dominated by Turkey; in 2023 Spain imported about USD 11.9 million in total, with the large majority sourced from Turkey.
Why do some dried apricot packs in Spain declare sulphites on the label?EU labeling rules require sulphur dioxide and sulphites to be declared as an allergen when they are present above 10 mg/kg or 10 mg/L (as total SO2). Some dried apricots use sulphites as a preservative and for color retention, so compliant products sold in Spain must declare them when the threshold is exceeded.
What are the most critical food-safety compliance risks for dried apricots entering Spain?The key risks are failing EU contaminant limits for mycotoxins (including aflatoxins and ochratoxin A) and failing EU pesticide residue MRLs. Non-compliance can result in rejection at the border, withdrawal, or recalls, and incidents may be communicated through EU mechanisms such as RASFF.
What documents are commonly needed to import dried apricots into Spain?Commonly needed documents include a commercial invoice, packing list, transport document (Bill of Lading for sea shipments or CMR for road), and the EU customs import declaration for release into free circulation. A certificate of origin is typically needed when claiming preferential tariff treatment.