Classification
Product TypeIngredient
Product FormDried (Dehydrated flakes/granules/pellets)
Industry PositionProcessed Food Ingredient
Market
Dried potato flakes (commonly traded under HS 110520) are a shelf-stable potato ingredient used in instant mashed potato products and as an input in processed-food formulations. UN Comtrade data accessed via the World Bank WITS tool show Iran both imports and exports HS 110520, indicating a two-way trade market rather than a purely import-dependent market. In 2018, Iran’s reported HS 110520 imports were mainly from Spain, the United Arab Emirates, and India, while in 2022 Iran reported exports to Ukraine, Turkey, Iraq, and Russia. Trade execution and counterparty onboarding are highly sensitive to Iran-related sanctions and financial compliance constraints, which can disrupt otherwise routine food-ingredient trade.
Market RoleTwo-way trader (imports and exports) with domestic industrial demand
Domestic RoleIngredient for domestic food manufacturing and retail/foodservice instant-mash uses (not quantified in this record)
Specification
Physical Attributes- Dehydrated potato presented as flakes, granules, or pellets (HS 110520 form factor)
- Moisture-sensitive dry ingredient requiring protection from humidity to prevent caking
Compositional Metrics- Buyer specifications commonly focus on moisture and microbiological compliance (parameter values not specified in this record)
Packaging- Industrial bulk packaging (e.g., lined bags) is typical for dehydrated ingredients; exact formats used in Iran are not specified in this record
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Upstream potatoes (domestic production zones) → industrial processing/dehydration (where applicable) → packaged flakes → wholesalers/importers → food manufacturers and retail/foodservice channels
- Imports reported from Spain/UAE/India (2018) can supplement domestic availability; exports reported to Turkey/Iraq/Ukraine/Russia (2022) indicate outbound channels
Temperature- No cold chain required, but storage in cool, dry conditions reduces quality loss and caking risk
Shelf Life- Shelf life is primarily driven by moisture ingress control and packaging integrity (no duration stated in this record)
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeMultimodal
Risks
Sanctions And Financial Compliance HighIran-related sanctions and FATF high-risk status can block or severely delay payments, trade finance, insurance, and logistics services even for food-ingredient trade, creating a deal-breaker risk for routine execution.Run sanctions screening on all counterparties and vessels, document product eligibility and end-use, and obtain specialized sanctions/AML compliance review before contracting and shipment.
Climate MediumIran’s arid/semi-arid conditions, water scarcity, and recurrent droughts can disrupt upstream potato availability and increase raw-material price volatility for processors and ingredient users.Use multi-supplier sourcing across regions and maintain safety stocks during known drought stress periods; include raw-material price adjustment clauses where feasible.
Logistics MediumTrade lanes into/out of Iran can be constrained by de-risking behavior among global carriers and insurers, plus corridor-specific disruptions; this can raise landed cost and increase lead-time uncertainty for bulky dry ingredients.Pre-book logistics with carriers experienced in compliant Iran trade, confirm insurance/coverage up front, and build longer lead-time buffers into production planning.
Sustainability- Water scarcity and recurrent droughts affecting agriculture in an arid/semi-arid country context (upstream potato supply vulnerability)
- High irrigation dependence in key potato-producing regions
Labor & Social- Heightened human-rights and reputational due diligence expectations for Iran-linked trade due to ongoing EU restrictive measures and related compliance scrutiny
FAQ
Does Iran both import and export dried potato flakes (HS 110520)?Yes. UN Comtrade data accessed through the World Bank WITS tool show Iran reported HS 110520 imports in 2018 (notably from Spain, the United Arab Emirates, and India) and reported exports in 2022 (notably to Ukraine, Turkey, Iraq, and Russia).
What is the single biggest trade-blocking risk for this product-market involving Iran?Sanctions and financial-compliance constraints are the most critical risk: Iran-related sanctions programs and FATF’s call for countermeasures on Iran can prevent or delay payments, insurance, and logistics services, potentially stopping trade even when the product itself is not restricted.
Which Iranian authorities are most relevant for import clearance and standards for this product category?Customs clearance is handled through the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA). Domestic food oversight is associated with Iran’s Food and Drug Administration (IFDA), and national standards/conformity assessment are associated with the Iran National Standards Organization (INSO).