Classification
Product TypeIngredient
Product FormDried (Dehydrated)
Industry PositionDehydrated vegetable ingredient (food manufacturing and seasoning input)
Market
Dried onion (HS 071220) in Chile functions primarily as an imported dehydrated-vegetable ingredient used by food manufacturers and by retail spice/seasoning channels. UN Comtrade data accessed via the World Bank WITS platform indicates Chile imported about USD 2.30 million of dried onions in 2024 (about 787,336 kg). China was the largest supplier by import value in 2024, with additional supply from the United States and India. Market access and border clearance for plant-origin products are shaped by SAG phytosanitary oversight, while food handling, labeling, and import conditions are governed under the Ministry of Health’s food sanitary regulation and SEREMI processes for imported foods.
Market RoleNet importer (import-dependent ingredient market for HS 071220 dried onions)
Domestic RoleIngredient for industrial food manufacturing (soups, sauces, seasonings, processed meats) and retail spice/seasoning use
Market GrowthGrowing (recent trend (2023–2024))import value increased from 2023 to 2024
SeasonalityShelf-stable product typically available year-round via imports; demand is driven by manufacturing and retail seasoning usage rather than harvest seasonality.
Specification
Physical Attributes- Low visible foreign matter and low defect tolerance (burnt particles, discoloration, insect fragments)
- Uniform particle size for the purchased cut type (flakes/chopped/granules/powder)
- Free-flowing condition (caking control) and dryness maintained through moisture-barrier packaging
Compositional Metrics- Moisture control as a key quality parameter to reduce caking and microbial risk (values depend on buyer specification)
- Salt/additive content typically expected to be absent for plain dried onion unless explicitly formulated products are sold
Grades- Cut type/size classes (flakes/chopped/granules/powder; mesh size as specified by buyer)
- Buyer-defined sensory and cleanliness acceptance thresholds (color, aroma, absence of off-notes)
Packaging- Industrial: multiwall paper bags or cartons with food-grade inner liner (moisture barrier), labeled by lot/batch
- Retail: jars, sachets, or small pouches with Spanish labeling per Chile’s food regulation requirements
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Dehydration and packing in origin country → ocean freight to Chile → customs entry and SAG document/product inspection at authorized points of entry → warehouse/bodega deposit under import procedures → distribution to ingredient channels and food manufacturers
Temperature- Typically shipped and stored at ambient temperature; protect from heat and humidity to prevent caking and quality loss.
Atmosphere Control- Keep dry; moisture-barrier packaging and low-humidity storage conditions are critical to maintain free-flowing powder/granules.
Shelf Life- Long shelf-life relative to fresh onion when kept sealed and dry; shelf-life is primarily limited by moisture uptake, odor absorption, and packaging integrity.
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeSea
Risks
Phytosanitary HighNon-compliance with SAG import phytosanitary requirements for regulated plant-origin products (including documentation gaps or findings during inspection) can result in detention and, if rejected, re-export or destruction at the importer’s cost—creating a direct market-access blocker for dried onion shipments into Chile.Confirm SAG import requirements for the specific product condition (dried/dehydrated) and origin before shipment; ensure the phytosanitary certificate is provided when applicable; align documentation and packaging (including ISPM 15 wood packaging compliance) with SAG entry procedures.
Food Safety MediumFood-safety nonconformities (e.g., contamination, foreign matter, or other noncompliance identified under Chile’s food sanitary regulation and SEREMI import processes) can delay release, trigger corrective actions, or result in disposal decisions affecting supply continuity.Require supplier COAs and contaminant/foreign-matter controls aligned to buyer specification; maintain lot/batch identification and retain samples to support any SEREMI/SAG queries during import clearance.
Documentation Gap MediumMissing or inconsistent import documentation (e.g., CDA-related submission inputs for foods, invoice/packing list mismatches, or phytosanitary paperwork when applicable) can slow clearance and increase storage/demurrage costs in Chile.Use a pre-shipment document checklist mapped to SAG and SEREMI requirements; reconcile product description, HS code, weights, and lot identifiers across all documents.
Logistics MediumOcean freight volatility and port-side delays can raise landed cost and disrupt supply schedules for a shelf-stable but relatively low unit-value ingredient category like dried onion, affecting manufacturer input costs in Chile.Build buffer inventory for critical SKUs (flakes/powder) and diversify origin options where feasible; contract freight with schedule reliability clauses when volumes justify it.
FAQ
Which authority oversees phytosanitary import checks for dried plant-origin products entering Chile?Chile’s Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero (SAG) is the authority that establishes and verifies phytosanitary requirements for importing products of plant origin, and it inspects regulated shipments at entry.
What can happen if SAG rejects a regulated shipment at the border?If SAG rejects a regulated shipment during its import inspection process, the shipment may need to be re-exported or destroyed at the importer’s cost.
What is the Certificado de Destinación Aduanera (CDA) for imported foods?The CDA is a document requested through the SEREMI de Salud process for imported foods that records where the goods will be deposited and the route/transport conditions from customs facilities to the destination warehouse, supporting customs handling before the goods can be used and distributed.