Classification
Product TypeIngredient
Product FormDehydrated powder
Industry PositionFood Ingredient
Market
Onion powder in Argentina is a dehydrated vegetable ingredient produced from locally grown onions and supplied into domestic foodservice and food manufacturing channels, with some potential for regional trade. Argentina is a significant onion producer, and official INTA communications describe the country as a leading exporter of fresh onions and also an exporter of dehydrated onions within Latin America. Production and varietal development are associated with key onion zones including Cuyo (e.g., Mendoza/San Juan), southern Buenos Aires, and the Río Negro valleys. However, reporter-side trade data for dried onions under HS 0712.20 can show very small export totals in some recent reported years, so onion-powder export scale should be validated shipment-by-shipment with current trade statistics for the specific HS/NCM line used.
Market RoleMajor onion producer; fresh-onion export oriented with a smaller dehydrated/onion-powder ingredient segment
Domestic RoleIngredient for food manufacturers, foodservice, and industrial kitchens; also distributed through wholesale/retail packs
Market GrowthNot Mentioned
SeasonalityOnion harvest windows in Argentina are region-dependent, but commercial dehydration allows onion powder to be supplied beyond the fresh harvest season. One Mendoza-based dehydrated-vegetable producer indicates production activity spanning the austral summer months for dehydrated onion inputs.
Specification
Primary VarietyAncasti
Physical Attributes- Color: white to cream (producer specification example)
- Aroma/flavor: characteristic pungent onion profile (producer specification example)
- Powder format designed for rapid dissolution and uniform blending in preparations (market listing example)
Compositional Metrics- Moisture: 6% max for dehydrated onion powder (producer specification example)
- Argentine Food Code (CAA) sets a general maximum water content of 7% for dried/dehydrated vegetables (Art. 824, measured at 100–105°C)
Grades- Granulometry/sieving specifications may be set in supplier specs (e.g., Tyler sieve-based tolerances in producer specification example).
Packaging- Bulk bags (e.g., 10 kg) for dehydrated onion/powder supply (producer specification example)
- Foodservice/industrial 1 kg packs used in Argentina wholesale channels (market listing example)
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Onion production in key growing regions → curing/cleaning → dehydration → milling to powder → sieving/granulometry control → moisture-controlled packaging → wholesale/industrial distribution
Temperature- Ambient storage is typical, but temperature and humidity control are important to prevent moisture pickup and caking in powder products.
Atmosphere Control- Low-humidity handling and moisture-barrier packaging are important to protect powder flowability during transport and storage.
Shelf Life- Shelf life in Argentine trade listings is commonly stated as around 1 year when stored in a cool, dry place (market listing example).
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeMultimodal
Risks
Foreign Exchange And Trade Policy HighArgentina’s trade and foreign-exchange operating environment has undergone rapid regulatory change in recent years (e.g., import regime changes and easing of FX controls announced in 2025–2026), creating a material risk of payment/settlement and administrative disruptions that can delay shipments or alter contract economics for Argentine suppliers and their buyers.Use conservative payment terms (e.g., confirmed LC where appropriate), include regulatory-change clauses, and re-check current FX/trade procedures close to shipment with local customs brokers and banks.
Regulatory Compliance MediumPhytosanitary export certification from SENASA is destination- and product-dependent; missing or incorrect documentation aligned to the importing country’s ONPF requirements can trigger clearance delays or rejections.Validate destination requirements in SENASA’s phytosanitary export portals and run a pre-shipment document audit (certificate fields, origin, lot/traceability, and any required additional declarations).
Logistics MediumOnion powder is highly sensitive to moisture pickup during storage and transport, which can cause caking, flowability loss, and quality claims; long-distance multimodal routes increase exposure to humidity and packaging damage.Specify moisture-barrier inner liners, desiccant where appropriate, sealed cartons/pallet wrap, and store/ship under dry conditions with humidity controls.
Labor & Social- Worker safety and labor-risk exposure in onion postharvest handling (curing, sorting, bagging) has been explicitly noted by INTA as an area where improved postharvest systems address risks.
FAQ
What HS/NCM code is typically used for onion powder in Argentina when it is simply dried and pulverized onion?When the product is dried onion that may be cut/sliced or pulverized into powder without further preparation, it is commonly classified under HS 0712.20. In Mercosur/Argentina references, this aligns with NCM 0712.20.00 (“cebollas” within dried vegetables).
Does Argentina require a phytosanitary certificate to export onion powder?For exports of products or subproducts of plant origin, SENASA provides phytosanitary export certification to meet the importing country’s requirements. Whether onion powder requires a phytosanitary certificate depends on the destination market’s ONPF rules for the specific product and presentation, so exporters should confirm destination requirements and process the certification through SENASA’s CERT-POV workflow when required.
If onion powder is imported into Argentina, is AFIDI required?SENASA indicates that some highly processed plant-origin products (including items “molidos a polvo”) do not require AFIDI because they are not directly susceptible to crop pests, but they still require SENASA inspection at entry. Importers should confirm the current SENASA requirement set for the specific product/origin prior to shipment.
What moisture limit applies to dehydrated vegetables in Argentina, and how does this compare to a supplier spec for onion powder?The Argentine Food Code (CAA) sets a general maximum water content of 7% for dried/dehydrated vegetables (Art. 824, determined at 100–105°C). A Mendoza-based dehydrated-vegetable supplier’s onion powder specification lists moisture at 6% maximum, which is within that CAA limit.