Annatto
Annatto is the seed of Bixa orellana, a shrub of tropical America whose spiny pods split open to reveal seeds coated in a bright red waxy layer. That coating carries bixin and norbixin, carotenoid pigments that colour anything from yellow to deep orange red. Annatto is used whole and ground in Latin American and Caribbean cooking and in Filipino and West African dishes, and industrially it is the principal natural colourant of cheddar, Red Leicester, Gloucester and processed cheese, butter, margarine, smoked fish, snack seasoning and cosmetics, sold as seed, as oil soluble bixin extract and as water soluble norbixin salt.
Listed annatto markets
Each line is a grade at a delivery point. Open one for its full specification and terms.
Grades
Annatto is graded on pigment content, measured as bixin on the seed and as bixin or norbixin in extracts, and on seed cleanliness.
Pigment content
6 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Total bixin on seedPercentage by mass, dry basis | Solvent extracted and read by spectrophotometry. The primary grading measure for whole seed. |
| NorbixinPercentage by mass | The water soluble hydrolysed form. The measure for alkali processed extracts used in cheese and dairy. |
| Extract strengthPercentage bixin or norbixin, declared on the container | Extracts are contracted on assay, not on volume. |
| Colour valueAbsorbance of a stated dilution at the stated wavelength | Reported with the instrument and solvent named, so two labs can reconcile. |
| CIELAB colour of the applied shadeCoordinates measured on a stated substrate | Used where a buyer matches a finished product shade rather than an assay. |
| Carrier and solventDeclared | Oil suspension, alkaline solution, propylene glycol or spray dried on a carrier. Named on the contract, because destination market approvals differ. |
Seed condition
7 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Whole seedMinimum percentage by mass | Seed with the pigment coating intact. Broken and abraded seed has already lost pigment. |
| Loose pigment dustPercentage by mass | Separated by sieving. It carries assay but is handled and priced separately. |
| MoistureMaximum percentage by mass | Determined by ISO 939. Wet seed loses pigment and moulds. |
| Pod fragments, stalk and leafMaximum percentage by mass | Weighed after hand separation. |
| Extraneous matterMaximum percentage by mass | Determined per ISO 927, including stones, dirt and other plant material. |
| Mouldy and insect damaged seedMaximum percentage by mass | Weighed after hand separation. |
| Sieve analysisRetained on stated apertures | Applied to ground and powdered material. |
Analytical requirements
7 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Total ashMaximum percentage by mass | Determined by ISO 928. |
| Acid insoluble ashMaximum percentage by mass | Determined by ISO 930. |
| Residual solventMilligrams per kilogram | Determined by gas chromatography on solvent extracted material. |
| Synthetic colourant absenceBy chromatography | Confirms no azo dye or synthetic carotenoid has been added to lift the assay. |
| Lead and heavy metalsMilligrams per kilogram | Tested against destination market limits. |
| Pesticide residuesMilligrams per kilogram | Tested against destination market maximum residue limits. |
| Microbiological limitsColony forming units per gram, and absence of Salmonella in a stated mass | Contracted to destination market limits. |
ASTA cleanliness specifications
7 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Whole insects, deadCount per stated sample mass | Counted after sieving and inspection. |
| Excreta, mammalianMilligrams per stated sample mass | Determined by flotation and microscopy. |
| Excreta, otherMilligrams per stated sample mass | Determined by flotation and microscopy. |
| MouldPercentage by mass | Visibly mouldy pieces, weighed after separation. |
| Insect defiled or infestedPercentage by mass | Pieces showing insect damage, weighed after separation. |
| Extraneous foreign matterPercentage by mass | Stones, dirt, wire, string and any plant material other than the named spice. |
| TreatmentDeclared | Steam sterilised, ethylene oxide treated, irradiated or untreated. Declared on the contract, because destination markets differ on what they permit. |
Grades outside this list trade on request. Send us the contract specification you work to and we will price against it.
Locations
| Country | Region | We trade it as |
|---|---|---|
| Peru | South America | Origin |
| Brazil | South America | Origin and destination |
| Kenya | Africa | Origin |
| India | South Asia | Origin and destination |
| Ecuador | South America | Origin |
| Colombia | South America | Origin and destination |
| Bolivia | South America | Origin |
| Guatemala | Central America | Origin and destination |
| Mexico | North America | Origin and destination |
| Dominican Republic | Caribbean | Origin |
| Jamaica | Caribbean | Origin and destination |
| Cote d Ivoire | Africa | Origin |
| Ghana | Africa | Origin |
| Nigeria | Africa | Origin and destination |
| Tanzania | Africa | Origin |
| Uganda | Africa | Origin |
| Sri Lanka | South Asia | Origin |
| Philippines | Southeast Asia | Origin and destination |
| Indonesia | Southeast Asia | Origin and destination |
| Vietnam | Southeast Asia | Origin and destination |
| Thailand | Southeast Asia | Destination |
| China | East Asia | Destination |
| Japan | East Asia | Destination |
| South Korea | East Asia | Destination |
| United States | North America | Destination |
| Canada | North America | Destination |
| Netherlands | Europe | Destination |
| Germany | Europe | Destination |
| United Kingdom | Europe | Destination |
| France | Europe | Destination |
| Spain | Europe | Destination |
| Italy | Europe | Destination |
| Denmark | Europe | Destination |
| Turkiye | Middle East | Destination |
| Egypt | Africa | Destination |
| South Africa | Africa | Destination |
| Australia | Oceania | Destination |
| United Arab Emirates | Middle East | Origin and destination |
Origins and destinations outside this list trade on request. We are not limited to the locations shown here.
Timing
Harvest is when the crop is taken at origin. Arrival is when a shipment from that origin typically lands in a consuming market. The gap between them is processing, grading and the voyage.
HarvestArrival
| Origin | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | Window |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peru | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Apr to Aug, arrival Jun to OctSan Martin, Ucayali and Loreto pod through the middle of the year. The largest seed exporter. | |||||
| Brazil | Arrival | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Harvest Mar to Nov, arrival May to JanPara, Bahia and Sao Paulo pod in two windows. | ||
| Kenya | Harvest | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest | Harvest Jun to Jan, arrival Feb to OctCoastal and western regions pod twice a year. | |||
| Ecuador | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Apr to Jul, arrival Jun to SepCoastal provinces pod through the middle of the year. | ||||||
| India | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Harvest Oct to Jan, arrival Dec to MarOdisha, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu pod late in the year. | ||||||
| Cote d Ivoire | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Harvest Oct to Dec, arrival Dec to FebPods late in the year. | |||||||
| Bolivia | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Apr to Jun, arrival Jul to SepSanta Cruz and Beni pod mid year. | ||||||
| Dominican Republic | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Aug to Oct, arrival Oct to DecPods in the second half of the year. |
Windows outside this pattern trade on request, including carry, forward positions and stock already sitting in a destination warehouse.
Customs, packing and contract terms
Indicative terms for annatto. Tariff classification is the importer’s responsibility and limits change, so confirm both against the destination customs authority and the current regulation before you fix a contract.
- HS heading0910.99 Other spices, including annatto (bixa) seed
3203.00 Annatto colouring extract of vegetable origin - PackingJute or PP woven bags of 25 kg to 50 kg for whole spice, multiwall paper sacks for ground, and foil-lined or vacuum cartons for volatile and high value grades. Food grade liner, fumigation or steam sterilisation certificate where the destination requires it.
- Container loading20ft: 12 t to 18 t depending on bulk density. 40ft is normally volume limited before it reaches its weight limit. Ground and low density spice ships light and prices on cubic, not tonnage.
- Contract and arbitrationASTA cleanliness specifications for United States trade on Association of Food Industries contracts with AFI arbitration in New York. European trade on European Spice Association quality minima and the terms of the importing association, arbitration under ICC rules or the seat named in the contract.
- Destination limitsEU: aflatoxin B1 and total limits under Regulation 2023/915, ochratoxin A limits, pesticide MRLs under Regulation 396/2005, and Salmonella absence in 25 g. Ethylene oxide is not authorised in the EU and remains the most common rejection cause on spice. US: FDA FSMA preventive controls and ASTA cleanliness, with standing import alerts for Salmonella on several origins.
Common questions
What grades of annatto does SIP Global trade?
We quote 27 published grades of annatto, including Total bixin on seed - Percentage by mass, dry basis, Norbixin - Percentage by mass, Extract strength - Percentage bixin or norbixin, declared on the container, Colour value - Absorbance of a stated dilution at the stated wavelength, CIELAB colour of the applied shade - Coordinates measured on a stated substrate and Carrier and solvent - Declared. Every grade is tied to a delivery point and a settlement route. Grades outside the published list are priced on request.
How is annatto graded?
Annatto is graded on pigment content, measured as bixin on the seed and as bixin or norbixin in extracts, and on seed cleanliness. Grading runs on 4 systems: Pigment content, Seed condition, Analytical requirements and ASTA cleanliness specifications.
Where does SIP Global trade annatto?
We trade annatto in Peru, Brazil, Kenya, India, Ecuador, Colombia, Bolivia and Guatemala and 30 further markets. Origins and destinations outside this list trade on request. We are not limited to the locations shown.
When is annatto harvested and when does it arrive?
Typical windows are Peru: harvest apr to aug, arrival jun to oct; Brazil: harvest mar to nov, arrival may to jan; Kenya: harvest jun to jan, arrival feb to oct; Ecuador: harvest apr to jul, arrival jun to sep; India: harvest oct to jan, arrival dec to mar. Harvest is when the lot is taken at origin, arrival is when a shipment from that origin lands in a consuming market. Windows outside this pattern, including carry, trade on request.
What is the HS code for annatto?
Annatto is normally classified under HS 0910.99 (other spices, including annatto (bixa) seed) and HS 3203.00 (annatto colouring extract of vegetable origin). The heading follows the form the goods are in at the border, and national tariffs extend it beyond six digits, so confirm the full line with the destination customs authority before you fix a contract.
How do I get a price for annatto?
Send the grade, the origin and the delivery window to the SIP Global desk. That is enough for a trader to come back with a level and a settlement route. 1 listed annatto market is published on this page, each with its full specification and terms. We take both sides, physical and financial, prompt to long dated.
Standards and data sources
The grading language on this sheet follows published standards. Trade volumes and tariff lines are public record. Verify anything here against the source.
- ISOInternational Organization for Standardization
- Codex AlimentariusFAO and WHO food standards
- ASTAAmerican Spice Trade Association cleanliness specifications
- UN ComtradeOfficial international trade statistics by HS code
- ITC Trade MapBilateral trade flows and tariff data
- FAOSTATFAO production and trade series for agricultural commodities
Price this with our desk
Grade, origin and window if you have them. If what you are carrying does not fit the sheet above, describe it in your own words and a trader will take it from there.