Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormDried
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Market
Dried cassava supply in the United Arab Emirates is import-dependent, with imports recorded under HS 071410 (manioc/cassava, fresh or dried). UN Comtrade data via WITS indicates UAE imports for HS 071410 in 2023 were sourced primarily from India and Sri Lanka (note: HS 071410 aggregates fresh and dried forms, so it is a proxy for dried cassava trade context). Entry and release of plant-origin consignments are managed through UAE border quarantine processes that include document checks and inspection/lab testing when required. For retail food placement, emirate-level authorities (e.g., Abu Dhabi) enforce Arabic labelling requirements for pre-packaged foods.
Market RoleNet importer (import-dependent market)
Domestic RoleImported supply market; domestic production not evidenced in the sources used
SeasonalityAvailability is import-driven rather than harvest-season driven in-country.
Specification
Physical Attributes- Dry, clean product presentation with low visible mold/foreign matter risk is critical due to humidity exposure during sea freight and storage (quality-risk inference).
Compositional Metrics- For cassava flour intended for direct human consumption, Codex STAN 176-1989 specifies moisture content max 13% (m/m) and total hydrocyanic acid (HCN) max 10 mg/kg; importers may reference Codex-aligned limits depending on end use.
Packaging- Moisture-protective packaging and container hygiene are emphasized to reduce spoilage and infestation risks in transit (handling inference).
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Origin processing/drying → bagging or bulk loading → sea freight to UAE ports → MOCCAE quarantine release process (document check + inspection/lab tests if required) → importer warehousing/distribution
Temperature- Ambient transport is typical, but keeping the product dry and avoiding condensation is critical to reduce mold and quality degradation (handling inference).
Atmosphere Control- Ventilation and moisture control in containers/warehouses help reduce mold risk for dried roots/chips/pellets (handling inference).
Shelf Life- Shelf-life is highly sensitive to moisture pickup and pest contamination during shipping and storage (handling inference).
Freight IntensityHigh
Transport ModeSea
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighBorder release can be blocked or delayed if the shipment cannot meet MOCCAE’s agricultural consignment release requirements (e.g., missing/incorrect phytosanitary certificate, invoice/packing documents, or origin documentation) or if inspection/lab testing flags non-compliance.Align shipment documentation to MOCCAE’s listed release-document set before loading; run a pre-shipment document QA check with the UAE importer and ensure the phytosanitary certificate and origin information are consistent across documents.
Food Safety MediumFor food uses, cassava products can face safety scrutiny related to hydrocyanic acid (cyanide potential) and moisture-driven mold/mycotoxin risk; Codex STAN 176-1989 sets reference limits for edible cassava flour (HCN and moisture) that buyers may use as benchmarks depending on product form and end use.Specify end use (food vs feed) and product form (chips/pellets/flour) clearly in contracts; implement supplier testing/COA for relevant parameters (e.g., moisture and, for flour/food uses, HCN) and maintain dry-chain controls to prevent moisture pickup.
Logistics MediumAs a bulky commodity typically shipped by sea, dried cassava is exposed to freight-rate volatility and to quality loss from humidity/condensation during long-haul container transport and UAE warehousing.Use moisture-control measures (dry containers, desiccants where appropriate, sealed packaging, humidity monitoring) and build schedule buffers for inspection/clearance variability at entry points.
FAQ
Which countries are the main reported suppliers to the UAE for HS 071410 (manioc, fresh or dried) in recent data?UN Comtrade data presented via the World Bank WITS portal shows India and Sri Lanka as the top reported suppliers to the UAE for HS 071410 in 2023 (noting that the HS code aggregates fresh and dried forms).
What documents does MOCCAE list for releasing imported agricultural products consignments that include plant-origin products?MOCCAE lists a phytosanitary certificate, bill of lading/customs manifest or delivery authorization, certificate of origin (if origin is not indicated in the phytosanitary certificate), and an invoice or list of contents as required documents for the release process.
Is Arabic labelling required for pre-packaged foods in Abu Dhabi?Yes. ADAFSA’s General Food Labelling Requirements specify that mandatory label information shall be in Arabic, and they allow a supplementary Arabic sticker under defined conditions.