Market
Raisins (dried grapes; commonly traded under HS 080620) in Poland are primarily an imported processed-fruit product sold for retail snacking and as an ingredient for home baking and food manufacturing. UN Comtrade data (via World Bank WITS) shows Poland imported about USD 34.8 million of dried grapes in 2024, with Turkey, Chile and China among the largest origin suppliers. Domestic activity is concentrated in importing, quality testing, sorting and consumer packing by Polish brands (e.g., HELIO and Bakalland/FoodWell), with some intra-EU redistribution. The most material market-access risk is EU food-safety compliance (notably pesticide residues and mycotoxins such as ochratoxin A) and correct allergen/label declaration where sulphites are used.
Market RoleNet importer and consumer market with limited domestic production; some re-export after packing/distribution
Domestic RoleRetail snack and baking/food-manufacturing ingredient (bakery, confectionery, cereals/muesli, mixes)
Market GrowthGrowing (recent trade trend (2022–2024))import value increased from 2022 to 2024
Risks
Food Safety HighNon-compliance with EU food-safety limits—especially pesticide residues (MRLs) and mycotoxins such as ochratoxin A—can trigger detention, border rejection, or withdrawal/recall for raisin consignments entering Poland as part of the EU market.Use approved suppliers with documented GAP and robust QA; require pre-shipment multi-residue pesticide testing and mycotoxin testing (incl. ochratoxin A) against EU limits; keep full traceability and retain samples/COAs for each lot.
Regulatory Compliance MediumSulphur dioxide/sulphites used as preservatives must be declared as an allergen when present above 10 mg/kg (or 10 mg/L) total SO2; labeling errors can lead to non-compliance actions and product withdrawal in Poland/EU.Validate additive use and analytical results for total SO2; ensure compliant EU labeling (ingredient list + allergen emphasis) for each SKU and language market.
Sanctions And Trade Compliance MediumSome origin countries supplying dried grapes to Poland (e.g., Iran in recent trade data) operate under an evolving EU restrictive-measures environment, which can complicate counterparty screening, payments, banking, and insurance even where food trade is not the target.Run sanctions screening on counterparties and logistics/payment chains; confirm bankability and insurance coverage before contracting; document compliance decisions for audits.
Logistics MediumFreight-rate volatility and disruptions in container and inland transport can materially affect landed cost and availability for imported raisins in Poland, even though the product is shelf-stable.Diversify origin portfolio and forwarders; keep safety-stock for peak demand periods; use longer-term freight contracts where feasible.
Quality LowMoisture ingress during storage or distribution can cause clumping and quality deterioration, increasing customer complaints and wastage risk for retail packs in Poland.Use moisture-barrier packaging and dry warehousing; follow storage guidance to keep product away from moisture, strong odors and direct sunlight.
Sustainability- Residue-reduction and pesticide-use scrutiny in origin supply chains due to EU maximum residue level (MRL) enforcement for imported dried fruit
- Food loss and waste risk if moisture control fails in storage/handling (quality deterioration and potential mold)
FAQ
Where does Poland mainly import raisins (dried grapes) from?UN Comtrade data (via World Bank WITS) indicates that in 2024 Poland’s largest origin suppliers of dried grapes (HS 080620) included Turkey, Chile and China, with additional volumes coming via EU partners (e.g., Germany) and also from Iran.
What is the single biggest deal-breaker risk for importing raisins into Poland?Food-safety non-compliance—especially pesticide residues above EU MRLs and mycotoxins such as ochratoxin A above EU maximum levels—can lead to consignments being detained or rejected and can trigger withdrawals/recalls via EU systems like RASFF.
When must sulphites be declared on raisin labels sold in Poland?Under EU food information rules, sulphur dioxide and sulphites must be declared as an allergen when present at concentrations of more than 10 mg/kg (or 10 mg/L) in terms of total SO2.
Which HS code is typically used for raisins in trade statistics and customs classification?Raisins are commonly classified as dried grapes under HS 080620; this is the code used in the UN Comtrade (WITS) trade series for Poland’s dried-grape imports and exports.