Classification
Product TypeProcessed Food
Product FormShelf-stable (jarred)
Industry PositionProcessed Fruit Preserve
Market
Raspberry jam sold in Australia is regulated as “jam” under the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code, including minimum soluble-solids and named-fruit content requirements. Australia is a domestic consumer market supplied by both local manufacturers and imported brands, with supermarket retail a primary purchasing channel. Domestic raspberry supply that can feed jam manufacturing is concentrated in southern Australian growing regions (Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania), with a main season from late spring through autumn but increasing year-round availability supported by undercover production. Importers must manage Australia’s Imported Food Inspection Scheme (IFIS) processes and labelling compliance, including country-of-origin requirements for retail food.
Market RoleDomestic consumer market with both domestic production and imports
Domestic RolePackaged fruit preserve category supplied by Australian producers (e.g., Beerenberg) and distributed through national retail and catering channels.
SeasonalityFresh raspberry supply in Australia is described as mainly seasonal (spring to autumn) with increasing year-round availability due to undercover production and multi-state sourcing; jam availability in retail is typically year-round because it is shelf-stable.
Specification
Primary VarietyRed raspberry (Rubus idaeus)
Physical Attributes- Typical raspberry jam may contain natural raspberry seeds and fruit particulates (style-dependent).
- Gel/set consistency and colour stability are key buyer acceptance attributes for retail presentation.
Compositional Metrics- Food sold as jam must contain no less than 650 g/kg of water-soluble solids (Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code – Standard 2.3.2).
- Jam sold with one or more fruits named in the labelling must be made from no less than 400 g/kg of those fruits (Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code – Standard 2.3.2).
Packaging- Retail glass jars with metal lids are common for raspberry jam; labels must comply with Australia’s food labelling and country-of-origin labelling requirements for retail sale.
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Raspberry sourcing (domestic southern-state supply and/or imported fruit inputs) → receiving & quality checks → preparation (sorting/crushing) → formulation with sugars (and permitted gelling/acidity agents) → cooking/concentration to jam specification → hot-fill into jars → sealing/cooling → labelling/packing → ambient distribution to retail and foodservice.
Temperature- Shelf-stable distribution is typical for unopened jam; many brands instruct refrigeration after opening.
Shelf Life- Post-opening storage is commonly refrigerated per brand instructions; unopened product is typically stored ambient as a shelf-stable packaged food (brand- and formulation-dependent).
Freight IntensityHigh
Transport ModeSea
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighImported raspberry jam can be held, inspected and potentially tested under Australia’s Imported Food Inspection Scheme; non-compliance with food standards or incorrect import declaration information can keep consignments on hold and delay or prevent release, with failing food subject to regulatory actions under the Imported Food Control Act framework.Pre-validate labels and formulation against the Food Standards Code (including Standard 2.3.2 Jam and labelling standards), lodge accurate FIDs in ICS with complete supporting documents, and maintain a documented compliance file for each SKU/lot.
Food Safety MediumProducts sold as “raspberry jam” in Australia must meet specific compositional requirements (minimum water-soluble solids and minimum named-fruit content); products that do not meet these thresholds risk non-compliance and potential enforcement or market withdrawal.Verify soluble-solids targets and fruit-content calculations for each recipe/SKU and retain QA records to substantiate compliance and labelling claims.
Labour And Social MediumDomestic raspberry supply chains feeding jam manufacturing may involve seasonal labour and labour-hire arrangements in horticulture regions with documented high rates of workplace non-compliance, creating reputational and legal exposure for buyers and brand owners.Conduct supplier due diligence (labour-hire licensing checks where applicable, wage-compliance attestations, and targeted audits) and align internal reporting with Modern Slavery Act expectations where thresholds apply.
Logistics MediumRaspberry jam imports are sensitive to ocean freight volatility because finished goods are heavy (often in glass) and typically shipped as packaged retail units; disruption can increase landed cost and create out-of-stocks.Use forward freight planning, optimise packaging and palletisation, and qualify secondary supply options (domestic or regional) for continuity.
Sustainability- Packaging and end-of-life management (glass jars and metal lids) is a visible sustainability theme in Australian retail, with some brands making recyclability and recycled-content claims that require substantiation and consistent on-pack disposal guidance.
Labor & Social- Seasonal horticulture labour and labour-hire supply chains present elevated wage-compliance risk in Australian produce-growing regions, requiring buyer due diligence where raspberries are sourced domestically.
- Large entities supplying or retailing jam in Australia may face Modern Slavery Act 2018 reporting expectations (threshold-based) and should map raspberry and packaging supply chains accordingly.
FAQ
What must be true for a product to be sold as raspberry jam in Australia?If it is sold as “jam”, it must meet the Food Standards Code requirements for jam, including a minimum of 650 g/kg water-soluble solids. If the label names raspberry (or other fruits), it must be made from at least 400 g/kg of the named fruit(s).
What happens if an imported jam shipment is selected for inspection in Australia?Under DAFF’s Imported Food Inspection Scheme (IFIS), a Food Control Certificate can be issued and the goods must remain on hold. DAFF may conduct label and visual checks and, where applicable, take samples for testing before the consignment can be released.
Does raspberry jam sold at retail in Australia need country-of-origin labelling?In most cases, yes—most food offered for retail sale in Australia must display country-of-origin information in the format required by the Country of Origin Food Labelling Information Standard 2016.