Raw Material
Commodity GroupAquatic botanical (edible/medicinal plant material)
Scientific NameNelumbo nucifera
PerishabilityMedium
Growing Conditions- Perennial aquatic plant grown in shallow wetlands such as ponds, lakes, marshes, swamps, and flooded fields
- Warm-temperate to tropical climatic conditions; primarily subtropical biome distribution noted by Kew
Main VarietiesSacred lotus
Consumption Forms- Dried botanical material used in culinary preparations in some regions
- Dried botanical material used in traditional-use channels (market-dependent)
- Cultural/ornamental uses as a dried flower product
Grading Factors- Botanical identity and absence of adulteration
- Whole-flower/petal integrity and visual quality
- Foreign matter and physical contaminants control
- Moisture control to limit mould growth and mycotoxin risk
- Compliance with pesticide residue and heavy metal expectations for dried plant materials
Market
Dried lotus flowers are a specialty botanical commodity typically derived from sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) and traded in dried, whole or cut form for culinary, cultural/ornamental, and traditional-use channels. The species’ native range spans warm-temperate to tropical Asia and extends to northern and northeastern Australia, with long-established cultivation documented in China and broad presence across multiple Asian countries. Global trade is generally quality- and compliance-driven rather than standardized by a single international grade, with buyer specifications emphasizing identity, cleanliness, and contaminant control typical of dried botanical supply chains. Key market dynamics include multi-stage collection/handling and the need for robust supplier assurance to manage contamination, traceability, and regulatory classification risk.
Major Producing Countries- 중국Long-established cultivation of Nelumbo nucifera documented by Kew; lotus is grown for multiple uses and plant parts.
- 인도Within the species’ native range; Kew notes edible use of flowers as vegetables in India.
- 베트남Listed within the species’ native range in Kew’s POWO distribution data.
- 태국Listed within the species’ native range in Kew’s POWO distribution data.
- 미얀마 [버마]Listed within the species’ native range in Kew’s POWO distribution data.
Specification
Major VarietiesSacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera)
Physical Attributes- Dried whole flowers or flower parts where visual integrity (whole bloom/petal structure) is a key quality attribute
- Color and aroma retention are common buyer-facing quality cues; discoloration may indicate poor drying or storage
- Low foreign matter (plant debris, stones, insects) expectations consistent with dried botanical and herb trade
Compositional Metrics- Moisture control is a primary quality and safety driver to reduce mould growth and mycotoxin risk in dried plant materials
- Residue and contaminant testing (e.g., pesticide residues and heavy metals) is commonly required in international supply chains for dried botanicals
Grades- No single global grading system is consistently used; transactions commonly rely on buyer specifications and food safety/hygiene expectations for dried plant materials
Packaging- Moisture-barrier primary packaging and clean outer cartons are commonly used to protect dried botanicals from humidity uptake and contamination during storage and transit
- Packaging should support traceability and lot identification to enable recalls where needed
ProcessingOften traded as whole or cut dried botanical material; further processing (blending, cutting, sieving) may occur downstream depending on end use
Risks
Food Safety HighDried botanical plant materials can carry chemical and biological hazards (e.g., pesticide residues, heavy metals, and pathogenic contamination) that trigger border rejections and reputational damage in international trade; Codex guidance explicitly flags pesticides/heavy metals and microbial hazards as key concerns for dried herbs/spices supply chains.Implement supplier approval and lot-based testing for pesticide residues and heavy metals; apply Codex-aligned hygienic practice controls for drying/handling and maintain full lot traceability.
Microbial Contamination MediumLow-moisture plant products can still carry pathogens; Codex notes that Salmonella and other microorganisms have been found in spices and dried aromatic herbs, with contamination possible at multiple points in complex supply chains.Control hygiene at harvest, drying, and packing; prevent cross-contamination during consolidation; consider validated microbial reduction steps where appropriate and permitted.
Mycotoxins MediumInadequate drying or humid storage can promote mould growth and mycotoxin hazards (e.g., aflatoxin/ochratoxin A) in dried plant materials, as highlighted in Codex guidance for dried herbs/spices.Use validated drying targets and moisture control, moisture-barrier packaging, and dry storage; monitor for mould indicators and test where risk warrants.
Traceability MediumCodex describes dried herb/spice supply chains as complex and potentially involving multiple stages of collection and consolidation, which can obscure origin and increase the chance of contamination or mislabeling.Require documented chain-of-custody, lot coding, and supplier mapping down to collection points/handlers; audit high-risk nodes (drying yards, consolidators, repackers).
Regulatory Compliance MediumCustoms and regulatory classification can vary by intended use (food, herbal/traditional use, perfumery/pharmacy channels); HS heading 1211 covers plants and parts of plants used primarily in perfumery or pharmacy, fresh or dried, but national interpretations and product presentations can affect classification and import requirements.Align product labeling, intended use claims, and documentation with destination-country requirements; confirm tariff classification with import brokers and maintain compliant test dossiers for residues/contaminants.
Sustainability- Water stewardship in wetland/pond-based cultivation systems; upstream water quality can influence contamination risk in an aquatic crop
- Wetland habitat and land-use pressure: Kew notes local wild population reduction in parts of China associated with rapid aquaculture industry development
Labor & Social- Traceability and supplier oversight challenges in complex, multi-stage dried botanical supply chains (collection, consolidation, repacking)
- Worker hygiene and sanitation controls during drying, handling, and packing are critical given the potential for contamination in low-moisture foods
FAQ
What species are dried lotus flowers typically derived from in global trade?They are typically derived from sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera), an aquatic perennial with a native range spanning parts of Asia and extending to northern and northeastern Australia, as documented by Plants of the World Online (Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew).
What is the most critical trade risk for dried lotus flowers?Food safety compliance is the key risk: dried botanical materials can carry pesticide residues, heavy metals, and microbial hazards, and Codex guidance for dried herbs/spices explicitly highlights these as major concerns that can disrupt international trade if not controlled.
Which HS heading can apply to dried botanical plant parts sold for perfumery or pharmacy uses?HS heading 1211 covers plants and parts of plants used primarily in perfumery or pharmacy (and similar purposes), fresh or dried; the applicable code depends on the product’s presentation and intended use in the destination market.