Market
Chile is a net exporter of dried grapes/raisins (HS 080620), with UN Comtrade data via WITS showing exports of about USD 142.8 million in 2023 to markets including the United States, the Netherlands, China, Peru and Colombia. The sector is closely linked to Chile’s table-grape industry, with raisins produced from Vitis vinifera grapes and marketed as natural (sun-dried) or golden types depending on processing. ODEPA describes a sizeable dehydrated-fruit processing base (plants and companies) and notes raisins as a value outlet for table-grape discards, while Chile’s Ministry of Agriculture highlights Atacama as an emerging regional focus for raisin commercialization. Trade continuity depends heavily on meeting phytosanitary/food-safety requirements for both exports and imports (SAG phytosanitary systems; Chile’s Reglamento Sanitario de los Alimentos) and managing drought- and cost-driven supply variability.
Market RoleNet exporter (producer and exporter; small-volume importer for domestic supply)
Domestic RoleDomestic dried-fruit category used for household snacking and as an ingredient for bakery/cereal/food manufacturing, alongside export-oriented bulk trade.
Market GrowthMixed (2017 vs 2023 UN Comtrade snapshots)exports show moderate increase between 2017 and 2023; year-to-year performance likely sensitive to grape supply and export demand
Risks
Phytosanitary HighImporting raisins into Chile can be blocked by noncompliance with SAG’s phytosanitary import requirements (e.g., missing/incorrect phytosanitary certificate declarations; failure to meet cleanliness/new-packaging conditions; or lack of required methyl bromide fumigation against Trogoderma granarium for applicable origins), which can trigger rejection and even suspension upon recurrence.Align shipment specs to SAG Resolution Exenta N° 2687 and confirm origin-specific pest status and required additional declarations/treatments before loading; use sealed, new packaging and pre-shipment cleanliness controls.
Climate HighDrought and water constraints can reduce grape availability and raise costs, creating supply and price volatility for Chile-origin raisins and limiting processor throughput.Diversify sourcing across valleys/regions and contract with processors holding multi-region supplier networks; include water-risk screening and contingency volumes in contracts.
Food Safety MediumQuality and compliance failures (e.g., mould presence, excessive defects, or additive/processing deviations such as sulphur dioxide use in golden/bleached types or oil coating outside buyer specifications) can lead to border detentions, customer rejections, and reputational loss.Use UNECE DDP-11 class/tolerance specs in contracts, apply OIV/Codex-aligned additive controls (SO2/oil), and implement lot testing and hygienic handling controls focused on moisture and mould.
Logistics MediumOcean freight volatility and transit delays can raise landed costs and increase exposure to moisture ingress/quality drift if packaging integrity is compromised.Use moisture-barrier inner liners, container desiccants where appropriate, and sealed loads; lock freight contracts during peak periods and maintain safety stock in destination warehouses for key programs.
Labor Availability MediumRising labor costs and seasonal labor constraints in grape production and drying/packing can compress margins and increase the risk of late-season processing bottlenecks.Prioritize suppliers with mechanized sorting/cleaning capacity and documented peak-season staffing plans; schedule production early and reserve processing slots contractually.
Sustainability- Water scarcity/drought exposure affecting grape supply and production costs in key producing zones (raised as a constraint in ODEPA raisins-sector analysis).
- Packaging waste and pest-proofing requirements (new packaging; sealed transport) affecting compliance and sustainability trade-offs.
Labor & Social- Labor availability and rising labor costs in grape-linked value chains are cited as a pressure factor in Chile’s raisin/table-grape context (ODEPA).
FAQ
What is the main deal-breaker compliance requirement for importing raisins into Chile?Chile’s SAG requires shipments of dried grapes (raisins) to be covered by an official phytosanitary certificate with specific additional declarations and to meet conditions such as being free of leaves/soil/plant debris, using new packaging, and (for certain origins) undergoing methyl bromide fumigation against Trogoderma granarium under SAG Resolution Exenta N° 2687.
Which quality classes are commonly used in international trade specifications for raisins?UNECE’s DDP-11 standard for dried grapes defines three quality classes used in trade: Extra, Class I, and Class II, alongside minimum requirements and defect tolerances.
Which Chilean sourcing valleys are explicitly cited by raisin exporters?At least one Chilean exporter markets raisins sourced from the Copiapó, Elqui, and Aconcagua valleys, and Chile’s Ministry of Agriculture also highlights Atacama as a region developing raisin commercialization as an alternative outlet for table-grape growers.