Classification
Product TypeIngredient
Product FormDried (Dehydrated Flakes)
Industry PositionProcessed Agricultural Ingredient
Market
Dried onion flakes in Morocco function primarily as a shelf-stable ingredient for domestic food manufacturing and retail seasoning uses, with import supply playing a significant role. UN Comtrade (via WITS) indicates Morocco is a net importer of dried onions (HS 071220), with imports exceeding exports in 2023. Export volumes for HS 071220 exist but are comparatively small, with shipments including regional destinations such as Senegal. Market access and trade flows are shaped by ONSSA food-safety controls, and upstream onion availability is exposed to Morocco’s ongoing water-stress and drought conditions.
Market RoleNet importer of dried onions (HS 071220) with limited exports
Domestic RoleImported and locally handled ingredient used across food manufacturing, foodservice, and household seasoning demand
Specification
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Onion sourcing (domestic and/or imported) → cleaning/peeling → slicing → dehydration → flaking/sieving → packaging → distribution to industrial users and retail
Temperature- Typically stored and shipped as a dry ambient product; protect from heat and moisture to avoid quality loss and caking.
Atmosphere Control- Low-humidity storage and moisture-barrier packaging are critical to limit moisture uptake.
Shelf Life- Shelf-life performance is driven by moisture control and packaging integrity; humidity exposure is a primary degradation pathway.
Freight IntensityLow
Transport ModeSea
Risks
Climate HighMorocco’s multi-year drought and water crisis creates a high-risk operating environment for onion-based supply chains by tightening irrigation water availability, raising production costs, and increasing the likelihood of localized supply shocks that can ripple into dehydrated-onion ingredient availability and pricing.Diversify sourcing (imports and domestic), pre-book volumes ahead of peak tightness, and require supplier plans for water-risk management in upstream onion sourcing.
Trade Policy HighMorocco has implemented short-notice restrictions on vegetable exports (including onions) to stabilize domestic prices, indicating a policy-intervention risk that can disrupt export-oriented onion value chains and indirectly affect processor planning and contracting.Structure contracts with force-majeure and policy-change clauses, maintain alternative origins for dehydrated onion inputs, and monitor official/press signals of impending restrictions during price-spike periods.
Regulatory Compliance MediumONSSA import/export controls emphasize documentary and conformity checks (and for exports, laboratory analysis and labeling review); document mismatches or non-conformities can trigger delays, additional testing, or shipment disruption.Align shipment dossiers to ONSSA-stated checklists, perform pre-shipment label and document reconciliation, and retain COAs/analysis bulletins from recognized laboratories when required.
Sustainability- Water scarcity and prolonged drought affecting agricultural inputs and horticultural supply stability
- Irrigation constraints and groundwater depletion risk in producing basins
FAQ
Is Morocco a net importer or exporter of dried onions (including flakes) under HS 071220?Morocco is a net importer based on UN Comtrade data (via WITS): in 2023, Morocco’s imports of HS 071220 exceeded its exports.
Which HS code is typically used for dried onions (whole, sliced, flakes, or powder but not further prepared)?HS 071220 is the UN-listed subheading for dried onions (whole, cut, sliced, broken, or in powder, but not further prepared).
What documents and checks does Morocco commonly apply for importing plant-origin food products such as dried vegetables?ONSSA describes an import-control process that includes filing a dossier and systematic documentary, identity, and physical checks, with sampling for laboratory analysis where required; the dossier commonly includes the invoice, packing list, transport document, and official health certificates or equivalent documents from the exporting country’s competent authority when applicable.