Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormFresh
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Market
Fresh Red Globe table grapes in Bangladesh are primarily an imported consumer fruit, with no evidence of significant commercial-scale domestic production for this variety. UN Comtrade data accessed via the World Bank WITS interface indicates Bangladesh’s 2024 fresh-grape (HS 080610) supply was dominated by India and China, with small volumes from a few other origins. Market access is strongly shaped by Bangladesh Plant Quarantine import permitting and phytosanitary documentation requirements, plus customs clearance procedures for plant products. Because grapes are highly perishable, cold-chain integrity and port/airport dwell time are key determinants of arrival quality and loss rates.
Market RoleNet importer (import-dependent consumer market)
Domestic RoleImported fresh fruit category for domestic consumption; clearance and distribution depend on importers, C&F agents, and wholesale-to-retail channels.
Specification
Primary VarietyRed Globe
Physical Attributes- Large, red/pinkish-red berries with firm/crisp texture; berries should be sound and free from decay, excessive bruising, and abnormal external moisture.
- Bloom (natural waxy coating) is typically expected to be largely intact; rough handling increases berry shatter risk.
Compositional Metrics- Buyer acceptance commonly uses maturity indicators such as soluble solids (sweetness) and overall maturity/condition at arrival; specific thresholds should be confirmed in importer program specifications.
Grades- Common trade reference standards for table grapes include UNECE FFV-19 quality classes (‘Extra’, ‘Class I’, ‘Class II’) as a widely used marketing/quality framework; importer specifications may align to these classes.
Packaging- Common import presentations include retail pre-packs (e.g., clamshells or small wrapped/canned packs) and bulk cartons; packaging should protect clusters from compression and dehydration and support airflow for cold storage.
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Origin harvest and field/packhouse sorting → export packing → refrigerated transport (reefer) → entry via port/airport → customs + Plant Quarantine Wing document check and (risk-based) inspection → Release Order → importer/wholesale distribution → retail sale.
Temperature- Cold-chain target conditions widely referenced for table grapes: approximately -1°C to 0°C storage temperature with high relative humidity (about 90–95%) to reduce water loss and stem browning (UC Davis postharvest guidance).
Atmosphere Control- Table grapes are not highly ethylene-sensitive, but ethylene exposure can contribute to shatter; storage away from ethylene-producing produce is a common handling practice.
- Industry practice may use SO2-based decay control approaches in cold storage/shipment for table grapes; any treatment residues and market acceptability should be verified per buyer and Bangladesh requirements.
Shelf Life- Shelf life is highly dependent on uninterrupted refrigeration, humidity control, gentle handling (to limit shatter), and rapid clearance/distribution after arrival.
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeMultimodal
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighFresh grapes are a plant product category subject to Bangladesh Plant Quarantine controls; imports can be blocked or delayed if the PQW import permit and exporting-country phytosanitary certificate are missing, inconsistent, or fail inspection/requirements during clearance.Secure PQW Import Permit before shipment; ensure the phytosanitary certificate matches the consignment and importer details; pre-validate document pack (COO, invoice, packing list, BL/AWB) against Bangladesh Customs plant-product clearance checklist.
Tariffs And Taxes HighHigh duty/tax incidence for fresh grapes (HS 080610) can materially raise landed cost and reduce commercial viability; NBR tools show high combined tax incidence for HS 08061090 and multiple tax components in the operative tariff.Model landed cost using the latest NBR Duty Calculator/Operative Tariff for the exact HS code and packing format; evaluate pack sizing (08061010 vs 08061090) and commercial terms to reduce cost and delay exposure.
Logistics MediumGrapes require tight temperature and humidity control; any port/airport dwell time, reefer power interruption, or break in refrigeration can accelerate dehydration, rachis browning, shatter, and decay, leading to claims or forced discounting.Use refrigerated equipment with monitoring; plan fast-track clearance and inland distribution; set handling SOPs to minimize rough handling and avoid ethylene exposure during storage.
Food Safety MediumBangladesh food safety enforcement and consumer sensitivity to chemical contaminants/harmful residues can create reputational and clearance risk for imported fruit, including the need to comply with applicable BFSA/BSTI rules for imported foods (and labeling where pre-packed).Source from exporters with documented pesticide-residue management; retain COA/testing where feasible; ensure any pre-packed retail units meet Bangladesh labeling expectations (including Bengali sub-labeling if required in practice).
Sustainability- Cold-chain energy and food-loss exposure: delays or temperature abuse can increase spoilage and disposal rates for imported grapes, raising waste and cost footprint.
- Chemical-residue compliance sensitivity: imported foods are subject to Bangladesh food safety rules and may face scrutiny regarding contaminants/toxins/harmful residues (noting BFSA regulatory references cited in official materials and USDA FAIRS reporting).
FAQ
Which documents are commonly needed to clear imported fresh grapes into Bangladesh?Bangladesh Customs’ plant-product clearance procedure lists (among others) a Plant Quarantine Wing import permit, a phytosanitary certificate from the exporting country, a certificate of origin, commercial invoice, packing list, and the transport document (bill of lading/airway bill), filed with the Bill of Entry through ASYCUDA World.
What cold-chain conditions are commonly recommended for maintaining table grape quality during shipment and storage?UC Davis postharvest guidance recommends storing table grapes at about -1°C to 0°C with roughly 90–95% relative humidity to reduce dehydration and quality loss; breaks in refrigeration increase shatter, decay, and stem browning risk.
Who were the leading reported suppliers of fresh grapes to Bangladesh in 2024?UN Comtrade data shown via the World Bank WITS page for HS 080610 indicates that China and India were the top reported exporters of fresh grapes to Bangladesh in 2024 by value, with much smaller reported shipments from Australia, South Africa, Thailand, and a few other origins.