Market
Raisins (dried grapes) in the Dominican Republic are primarily supplied through imports rather than local production, with trade data for HS 080620 showing substantial import volumes and only minimal exports. In 2024, the main import origins for dried grapes were the United States, Argentina, and Chile (with smaller volumes from Turkey and Mexico). Market access hinges on sanitary registration requirements overseen by DIGEMAPS and Spanish labeling for consumer-ready foods aligned with Dominican labeling norms (NORDOM 53 is referenced for retail food packaging). Distribution commonly relies on Dominican importers/wholesalers and locally-appointed distributors supplying retail outlets, including supermarkets.
Market RoleNet importer (import-dependent consumer market)
Domestic RoleDomestic consumption product used as a snack and as an ingredient for bakery/confectionery and foodservice users.
SeasonalityYear-round availability driven by shelf-stable imports.
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighMarket access can be blocked by missing or incorrect Dominican compliance prerequisites: DIGEMAPS sanitary registration requirements for food products, Spanish labeling obligations for consumer-ready imports (NORDOM 53 referenced), and potential shipment-by-shipment import permit requirements for agricultural products from the Ministry of Agriculture.Confirm whether raisins/dried grapes (HS 080620) require Ministry of Agriculture permits per shipment; secure any required DIGEMAPS Registro Sanitario coverage, and pre-approve Spanish label artwork (including lot and industrial/sanitary registration numbers where applicable) before dispatch.
Food Safety MediumFor bleached/golden raisins, sulphur dioxide treatment and declaration are a recurring compliance risk: Codex CXS 067-1981 sets a maximum level for sulphur dioxide in bleached raisins, and misdeclaration can trigger rejection or consumer safety concerns.Require a certificate of analysis for sulphur dioxide (where bleached) and match label declarations to the product’s treatment and Codex specification.
Documentation Gap MediumCustoms delays can result from incomplete or inconsistent documentation packages for DGA filing (e.g., invoice, BL/AWB, packing list, and origin certification when claiming CAFTA-DR preference).Run a pre-shipment document reconciliation with the Dominican importer (HS code, origin claim package, and DGA filing checklist) and use DGA online/pre-arrival processes where available.
Logistics LowIn humid Caribbean handling and storage conditions, raisins are vulnerable to moisture pickup, caking, and quality degradation if packaging and warehousing are not well controlled.Use moisture-barrier inner liners, strong carton integrity, dry warehouses, and lot-level monitoring to prevent humidity-related quality loss.
FAQ
What are the main compliance items to import retail-ready raisins into the Dominican Republic?Key items include Spanish labeling for consumer-ready food imports (with NORDOM 53 referenced for prepackaged food labeling elements), and sanitary registration requirements administered by DIGEMAPS for regulated foods. Trade guidance also notes that agricultural products may require an import permit from the Ministry of Agriculture for each shipment, so importers typically confirm permit applicability before shipping.
Which countries are the main suppliers of raisins/dried grapes to the Dominican Republic?UN Comtrade data via WITS for HS 080620 (dried grapes) indicates the United States and Argentina as the leading origins for Dominican Republic imports in 2024, followed by Chile, with smaller volumes reported from Turkey and Mexico.
What Codex specifications are most relevant for raisin shipments (moisture and sulphites)?Codex CXS 067-1981 sets maximum moisture levels (18% for most styles/types; 19% for seeded-with-seeds-removed style; 31% for Malaga Muscatel type). It also allows sulphur dioxide for bleached raisins up to 1,500 mg/kg (maximum limit applicable immediately following treatment), which is important for product specification and labeling alignment.