Classification
Product TypeIngredient
Product FormPowder (dried, milled vegetable)
Industry PositionFood Ingredient
Market
Onion powder (HS 071220: dried onions, including in powder form) in Latvia is primarily an import-supplied, shelf-stable ingredient used in retail seasonings and in food manufacturing. UN Comtrade data accessed via WITS shows Latvia imported about USD 1.03 million (465,322 kg) of HS 071220 in 2023, with India the largest supplier by value and volume. The same dataset shows Latvia also exported about USD 0.90 million (384,778 kg) of HS 071220 in 2023, indicating active intra-EU and regional redistribution alongside domestic use. As an EU Member State, Latvia applies harmonised EU food-safety, contaminants, pesticide-residue, traceability, and labelling rules to onion powder placed on the market.
Market RoleImport-dependent EU market with active regional (re-)export/redistribution in HS 071220
Domestic RoleWidely used seasoning ingredient for household cooking and as an input for processed foods (e.g., spice mixes and meat products)
Market GrowthNot Mentioned
SeasonalityAs a dehydrated, ambient-stable ingredient, onion powder supply is available year-round; short-term availability depends more on import lead-times and border controls than on domestic harvest seasonality.
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighLatvia’s HS 071220 supply is heavily import-linked (notably from India in 2023), and non-compliance with EU pesticide-residue limits and official control outcomes can lead to border detention/rejection, destruction, or withdrawal from the market. This is a practical deal-breaker risk for consignments because enforcement is applied at EU entry and Latvia’s competent authority (PVD) notes routine import controls for non-animal origin foods, with some goods subject to increased controls or emergency measures.Use an approved supplier program with pre-shipment residue/contaminant testing where risk is elevated; maintain full lot-level documentation and EU-traceability records; monitor PVD/EU updates on increased controls (e.g., Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1793) relevant to the product/origin.
Food Safety MediumAs a dried, milled plant ingredient, onion powder can pose food-safety risks (e.g., contamination introduced during drying/milling/handling) if hygiene controls are weak; enforcement is supported by EU hygiene requirements and HACCP-based controls for food business operators.Require HACCP-based controls and supplier audits; specify microbiological and foreign-matter specifications and verify via certificates of analysis and periodic third-party testing.
Documentation Gap MediumMisclassification (CN/TARIC line selection), incomplete traceability, or labelling non-compliance can delay clearance or require relabelling/withdrawal, especially for retail packs marketed to Latvian consumers under EU food information rules.Confirm HS/CN/TARIC classification and TARIC measures before shipment; ensure label content and language comply with Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011; retain Article 18 traceability records for each lot.
Labor & Social- Human-rights due diligence may be relevant for non-EU agricultural supply chains: the U.S. Department of Labor ILAB TVPRA list includes 'Onions' among goods with reported child labor in certain countries (country-specific listings vary), so Latvian importers should apply supplier screening and audit practices appropriate to origin risk.
Standards- HACCP-based food safety management (aligned with EU hygiene requirements)
- GFSI-benchmarked certification schemes often requested by major buyers (e.g., BRCGS Global Standard Food Safety, FSSC 22000)
FAQ
What trade code best matches onion powder for Latvia trade analysis?For international trade statistics, onion powder is commonly captured under HS 071220, which covers dried onions “whole, cut, sliced, broken or in powder” (not further prepared).
Which countries supplied most of Latvia’s dried onions (including onion powder) in 2023?UN Comtrade data accessed via WITS for HS 071220 shows India as Latvia’s largest supplier by value and volume in 2023, followed by smaller shares from EU partners such as Poland, Lithuania, Hungary, and Estonia.
What is the biggest compliance risk for importing onion powder into Latvia from outside the EU?A key risk is border detention or rejection due to non-compliance with EU pesticide-residue limits and other official control findings. Latvia’s Food and Veterinary Service (PVD) states that products of non-animal origin are subject to routine import controls under the EU official controls framework, and certain goods/origins can face increased controls or emergency measures.