Classification
Product TypeIngredient
Product FormDried (flakes)
Industry PositionDehydrated Vegetable Ingredient
Market
Dried onion flakes in Latvia is an import-dependent ingredient market supplied primarily through extra-EU and intra-EU trade under HS 071220 (dried onions, not further prepared). UN Comtrade-based WITS data shows Latvia imported about USD 1.03 million (≈465 tonnes) of dried onions in 2023, with India as the largest supplier followed by EU partners including Poland, Lithuania, Hungary and Estonia. Market access and border clearance are governed by EU food law, including official controls for food of non-animal origin conducted in Latvia by the Food and Veterinary Service (PVD) at Border Control Posts when required. Product quality outcomes in Latvia are most sensitive to upstream hygiene controls and moisture management during storage and distribution rather than cold-chain performance.
Market RoleNet importer (import-dependent ingredient market)
Domestic RolePrimarily used as a seasoning/ingredient input for Latvian retail spice products, foodservice, and food manufacturing formulations that require shelf-stable onion flavor.
SeasonalityYear-round availability is typical because supply is predominantly via imports of shelf-stable dehydrated product rather than domestic seasonal harvest.
Specification
Physical Attributes- Particle/flake size distribution and uniformity (buyer specification dependent)
- Color and odor typical of dehydrated onion; absence of scorching and off-notes
- Low foreign matter and controlled defect/contaminant risk (e.g., extraneous plant material)
Compositional Metrics- Moisture control (to prevent caking and quality loss) is a common buyer parameter for dehydrated vegetable ingredients
Packaging- Bulk food-grade lined cartons or multiwall bags for B2B supply
- Smaller retail packs (jars/sachets) when sold as consumer spice product
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Origin-country dehydration/processing → bulk export shipment → EU/Latvia border clearance and official controls as applicable → Latvian wholesale distribution and/or repacking/blending → retail/foodservice/food manufacturing use
Temperature- Typically handled as an ambient, shelf-stable dry good; temperature control is secondary to moisture control.
Shelf Life- Shelf life is driven by packaging integrity and humidity exposure; moisture ingress can cause caking and accelerate quality deterioration.
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeMultimodal
Risks
Food Safety HighNon-compliance with EU food safety requirements (notably pesticide residue exceedances under Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 and/or microbiological hazards) can trigger RASFF notifications, border rejection, and potentially increased official control intensity for specific origin-product combinations under Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1793 (as amended, including by Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/608), disrupting Latvia’s supply.Use an EU-compliant supplier approval program (HACCP-based), require batch COAs and residue/micro testing aligned to buyer risk, and maintain documented traceability to support rapid corrective action if controls or alerts occur.
Regulatory Compliance MediumOfficial control routing and documentation requirements for food of non-animal origin (Regulation (EU) 2017/625) can create clearance delays if shipment data, origin details, or supporting certificates/test results are incomplete for consignments subject to increased controls.Align pre-shipment documentation to the importer’s EU/Latvia checklist and verify whether the origin-product combination is listed under increased-control/special-condition rules before dispatch.
Supply Concentration MediumLatvia’s dried onion import supply is concentrated in a limited set of supplier countries (with India the leading supplier in 2023), so disruptions affecting the main origin or route can tighten availability and raise procurement risk for Latvian buyers.Qualify at least one alternative EU-based and one alternative extra-EU supplier and keep safety stock for critical production periods.
Logistics LowMoisture ingress during long-haul transport and local warehousing can cause caking, mold risk, and quality degradation in dehydrated onion flakes even without cold-chain breaks.Use moisture-barrier inner liners, desiccant where appropriate, and humidity-controlled storage with incoming QC focused on moisture/odor and packaging integrity.
FAQ
Which HS code is typically used for dried onion flakes imported into Latvia?Dried onion flakes are typically classified under HS 071220 (dried onions, whole, cut, sliced, broken or in powder, but not further prepared). Latvia applies the EU Combined Nomenclature/TARIC extensions for customs clearance based on this HS anchor.
Who oversees import controls for non-animal origin foods like dried onion flakes in Latvia?Latvia’s Food and Veterinary Service (PVD) carries out routine import control for products of non-animal origin at Border Control Posts, operating under the EU Official Controls framework (Regulation (EU) 2017/625).
Where did Latvia source dried onions from in 2023?UN Comtrade-based WITS data for HS 071220 shows Latvia’s largest supplier in 2023 was India, followed by suppliers including Poland, Lithuania, Hungary and Estonia.