Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormFresh
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Commodity GroupLeafy vegetable
Scientific NameSpinacia oleracea
PerishabilityHigh
Growing Conditions- Cool-season horticultural crop grown widely in temperate and subtropical regions; quality and shelf-life outcomes are highly sensitive to preharvest hygiene and postharvest temperature management.
- Frequently supplied as bunched product or as baby-leaf for fresh-cut processing; downstream cold-chain requirements are strict due to high perishability.
Main VarietiesFlat-leaf (smooth-leaf), Savoy, Semi-savoy
Consumption Forms- Fresh (bunched, loose-leaf, baby-leaf salads)
- Cooked (steamed, sautéed, soups)
- Processed (frozen/preserved forms; purees and ingredients in prepared foods)
Grading Factors- Uniform green color (avoid yellowing)
- Full turgor (avoid wilting)
- Clean leaves (low soil/foreign matter)
- Freedom from serious damage and decay
Market
Fresh flat-leaf spinach is a highly perishable leafy vegetable that tends to trade in relatively short, regional lanes and in value-added "fresh-cut" (washed/bagged) formats alongside bulk/bunched product. In UN Comtrade-reported trade for HS 070970 (spinach, fresh or chilled), China, the United States, Italy, Mexico, Spain and the Netherlands appear among the leading export origins by value in 2024. Major import demand is concentrated in North America and Europe, with the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Germany among the largest importers by value in 2024. Food-safety performance, cold-chain execution, and compliance with residue/contaminant requirements (including nitrates in the EU) are persistent determinants of market access and price stability.
Major Exporting Countries- 중국Leading exporter by value in UN Comtrade/WITS for HS 070970 (spinach, fresh or chilled) in 2024.
- 미국Among the top exporters by value in UN Comtrade/WITS for HS 070970 in 2024.
- 이탈리아Among the top exporters by value in UN Comtrade/WITS for HS 070970 in 2024.
- 멕시코Among the top exporters by value in UN Comtrade/WITS for HS 070970 in 2024; also a major supplier to the United States market by value/quantity.
- 스페인Among the top exporters by value in UN Comtrade/WITS for HS 070970 in 2024.
- 네덜란드Among the top exporters by value in UN Comtrade/WITS for HS 070970 in 2024.
Major Importing Countries- 미국Largest importer by value in UN Comtrade/WITS for HS 070970 in 2024.
- 캐나다Among the top importers by value in UN Comtrade/WITS for HS 070970 in 2024.
- 영국Among the top importers by value in UN Comtrade/WITS for HS 070970 in 2024.
- 독일Among the top importers by value in UN Comtrade/WITS for HS 070970 in 2024.
- 멕시코Among the top importers by value in UN Comtrade/WITS for HS 070970 in 2024 (reflecting regional trade and re-export/processing-linked movements).
- 네덜란드Among the top importers by value in UN Comtrade/WITS for HS 070970 in 2024 (often serving as a European logistics/distribution node).
Specification
Major VarietiesFlat-leaf (smooth-leaf), Savoy, Semi-savoy
Physical Attributes- Uniformly green leaves; yellowing is avoided in harvest selection and grading
- Leaves should be fully turgid, fairly clean, and free from serious damage
- Highly sensitive to exogenous ethylene, which can accelerate yellowing
Compositional Metrics- Nitrate content can be a compliance parameter in some markets; the EU sets a maximum level for fresh spinach (Spinacia oleracea) of 3,500 mg NO3/kg (with an exception noted for fresh spinach for processing transported directly in bulk from field to processing plant).
Grades- U.S. grade standards (as commonly referenced in commercial handling guidance): Bunched — U.S. No. 1, U.S. No. 2; Leaves — U.S. Extra No. 1, U.S. No. 1, Commercial.
Packaging- Bulk cartons/crates for bunched or loose-leaf shipments with high-humidity protection to minimize wilting
- Prewashed/fresh-cut spinach commonly uses package films selected to maintain low O2 and elevated CO2 (modified-atmosphere packaging) to slow yellowing and quality loss
ProcessingControlled/modified-atmosphere handling can provide moderate benefit; UC Davis notes atmospheres of ~7–10% O2 and ~5–10% CO2 and that package films for prewashed spinach may target ~1–3% O2 and ~8–10% CO2.
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Harvest (bunched or baby-leaf) -> rapid cooling -> cleaning/sorting -> refrigerated transport -> (optional) washing/fresh-cut processing -> packaging (often MAP for prewashed) -> cold-chain distribution -> retail/foodservice
Demand Drivers- Convenience demand for prewashed, ready-to-eat salad greens
- Household and foodservice demand for quick-cooking leafy vegetables
- Year-round retail programs supported by counter-seasonal/regional sourcing where feasible
Temperature- Optimum storage temperature guidance: 0°C (32°F) with high relative humidity (95–98%) is recommended for quality retention
- Spinach is highly perishable and quality deterioration accelerates at common distribution temperatures (e.g., 5–10°C) versus near-0°C cold chain
- Avoid mixed loads with ethylene-producing commodities (e.g., apples, melons, tomatoes) due to spinach sensitivity to exogenous ethylene
Atmosphere Control- Controlled/modified atmospheres can slow yellowing; UC Davis notes ~7–10% O2 and ~5–10% CO2 offer moderate benefit
- Prewashed spinach packaging films may be selected to maintain ~1–3% O2 and ~8–10% CO2
Shelf Life- Under optimal conditions, UC Davis notes spinach will not maintain good quality for more than ~2 weeks; wilting, yellowing, and decay commonly increase beyond ~10–14 days
- Shelf-life risk is amplified by temperature abuse, physical damage, and ethylene exposure
Risks
Food Safety HighFresh spinach (including bagged product) has a documented history of severe foodborne illness events; pathogen contamination can trigger rapid recalls, import disruptions, and sustained demand shocks for leafy greens programs.Implement and verify GAP/GMP controls (water, soil amendments, hygiene), maintain robust traceability/recall readiness, and align buyer specifications with preventive control and testing programs consistent with Codex and key market regulations.
Cold Chain MediumSpinach is highly perishable; temperature abuse and ethylene exposure accelerate yellowing, wilting and decay, narrowing saleable windows and increasing shrink in export lanes.Design logistics around near-0°C cold chain, high humidity protection, careful handling to reduce damage, and strict ethylene segregation.
Regulatory Compliance MediumMarket access can be constrained by contaminant and residue requirements; for example, the EU sets maximum nitrate levels for fresh spinach, and failure to meet such limits can result in rejections and reputational damage.Use nutrient management plans and harvest timing strategies to reduce nitrate risk, and maintain residue/contaminant monitoring and documentation aligned to destination-market rules.
Labor Safety MediumLeafy-vegetable production and packing can involve significant OSH exposure (manual labor strain, agrochemical exposure, machinery and cold-room hazards); weak safety management increases incident risk and potential supply disruption.Adopt OSH management aligned to ILO guidance, including training, PPE, safe chemical handling, and incident reporting/continuous improvement.
Sustainability- Nitrogen management and nitrate accumulation/contaminant compliance scrutiny (e.g., EU maximum levels for nitrates in fresh spinach)
- Packaging footprint from widespread use of plastic films/bags in fresh-cut and MAP spinach formats
- Cold-chain energy intensity for a short-shelf-life product category
Labor & Social- Occupational safety and health risks in agriculture (including pesticide and machinery-related hazards) and the need for effective OSH management systems
- Reliance on seasonal and migrant labor in many horticultural supply chains can increase vulnerability to poor working and living conditions if not well governed
FAQ
What HS code is commonly used to track international trade in fresh spinach?A commonly used code is HS 070970, described in UN Comtrade/WITS as “Spinach, fresh or chilled,” which is used for global import/export statistics.
Which countries are leading exporters and importers of fresh spinach in recent UN Comtrade-reported trade?In UN Comtrade/WITS HS 070970 data for 2024, leading exporters by value include China, the United States, Italy, Mexico, Spain and the Netherlands, while leading importers by value include the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Germany.
What storage conditions are typically targeted to preserve fresh spinach quality in trade?UC Davis postharvest guidance lists an optimum storage temperature of 0°C (32°F) with 95–98% relative humidity, noting spinach is highly perishable and commonly shows increased wilting, yellowing and decay beyond about 10–14 days (and not more than about 2 weeks) under storage.
Why is food safety considered a critical risk for spinach trade programs?Spinach has been linked to severe foodborne illness events, including a multistate E. coli O157:H7 outbreak tied to fresh bagged spinach (CDC); Codex also emphasizes controlling microbial hazards in fresh fruits and vegetables through good agricultural and manufacturing practices.