Prune
The dried fruit of the European plum, Prunus domestica, chiefly the dAgen cultivar, dried whole with the stone in place or removed afterwards. Prunes sell as a table and retail snacking fruit, into bakery and confectionery fillings, breakfast cereal, meat and charcuterie preparation, baby food, and the health and digestive category, where they are one of the few dried fruits carrying an established functional position. Prune juice and concentrate are separate downstream articles made from the same fruit. Water content is unusually central to the trade: prunes are rehydrated after drying to a contracted final moisture, and that figure is the single most negotiated term in the contract.
Listed prune markets
Each line is a grade at a delivery point. Open one for its full specification and terms.
Grades
Prunes are contracted on form and final moisture first, then on a count per unit weight, then on defect limits verified on a drawn sample.
Product form and preparation
12 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| PittedStone removed after drying | The volume article in retail and in industry. |
| Unpitted, with stoneStone in place | A traditional presentation, and the form of much of the eastern European trade. |
| Diced or choppedCut to a stated dice size, coated to stop it caking | The coating material and percentage are declared. |
| Paste and pureeMilled to a stated particle size, moisture and soluble solids | Sold into bakery as a fat replacer and a humectant, on composition rather than on count. |
| Juice concentrateEvaporated to stated soluble solids | A separate article sold on degrees Brix and colour. |
| SmokedCured over wood smoke | A distinct Balkan article. The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon limit is the controlling term. |
| Tenderised or high moistureRehydrated to a stated final moisture, with the preservative declared | Above a certain moisture the fruit will not hold without potassium sorbate. The moisture and the preservative are contracted together, never separately. |
| Low moisture, ambient stableDried to a stated low moisture with no preservative | Firmer, lighter and stable without a chill chain. |
| Potassium sorbate treatedTreated to a stated residual level | Extends shelf life at higher moisture. Named on the contract because destination markets differ on what they permit. |
| Mechanically driedDried in a tunnel, cabinet or belt dryer to a stated moisture | Tighter moisture control and a cleaner microbiological result. |
| OrganicCertified under the destination market scheme, with dedicated drying and packing lines | Named on the contract with the certifier and certificate number. |
| Consumer or industrial packDeclared, with the unit format | Industrial bulk and retail pack are separate products with separate specifications, not the same fruit in different boxes. |
Size and count
5 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Count per 500 gramsNumber of fruit in half a kilogram | The controlling size term in most of the trade. A lower count means a larger prune and a higher price. |
| Count per poundNumber of fruit in one pound | Used in the North American trade. The contract states which basis applies, because the two ladders are not interchangeable. |
| Named size bandSuccessive numbered bands, each tied to a stated count range | A label for a count. The contract carries the count range. |
| UniformityPercentage of the sample within the contracted count band | What separates a graded retail lot from a bulk industrial lot. |
| Screen sizeMillimetres across the widest point | Contracted where the lot is graded over a sizing screen rather than counted. |
Quality and condition
15 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Final moisture after rehydrationPercentage by mass, contracted as a narrow range | The central commercial term. It is weight, it is texture, and it decides whether the lot needs a preservative. |
| Pit and pit fragments in pitted lotsMaximum count in a stated sample mass | A physical hazard term with its own detection and rejection protocol. |
| Fermentation and off flavourMaximum percentage by count | The failure mode of high moisture fruit. Detected by smell and taste on a drawn sample. |
| End cracks and skin splitsMaximum percentage by count | Cosmetic, but priced, and it worsens with rehydration. |
| Scab, gum spot and burnMaximum percentage by count | Orchard and drying defects, counted separately. |
| Moisture contentMaximum percentage by mass, by the stated method | The controlling commercial figure. It sets the weight, the shelf life and the mould risk all at once. |
| Water activityMaximum, measured at a stated temperature | The figure that actually governs microbial stability. Moisture alone will not tell you whether a lot is safe to hold. |
| UniformityPercentage of the sample within the contracted size and colour range | Measured on the drawn sample. |
| ColourAgainst a sealed reference sample, or an instrumental scale where one is contracted | Measured, not described. |
| Damaged and blemished unitsMaximum percentage by count or by mass | Mechanical damage, scarring, sunburn and discolouration, counted separately from decay. |
| Decay, mould and fermentationMaximum percentage by count or by mass | A zero tolerance term in most contracts, with a small allowance stated. |
| Insect damage and live infestationMaximum percentage by count, live insects nil | Determined by inspection of a drawn sample. Live infestation rejects a lot outright. |
| Foreign and extraneous matterMaximum percentage by mass | Stems, stones, leaves, sand, wood and any plant material other than the named fruit. |
| Pieces of the wrong formMaximum percentage by mass | Halves in a whole lot, broken pieces in a halves lot, and so on. Priced, because it is the most common quiet downgrade. |
| Sugaring and crystallisationMaximum percentage of units showing surface sugar | Cosmetic, but it is priced, and it moves with storage temperature rather than with the original quality. |
Contaminants and food safety
9 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| AcrylamideMicrograms per kilogram | Formed during high temperature drying. Monitored against destination market benchmark levels. |
| Ochratoxin AMicrograms per kilogram | Tested against the destination market limit. |
| Sulphur dioxideMilligrams per kilogram | Measured whether or not the lot is declared sulphured, because carryover happens on shared lines. A declared allergen in most destination markets. |
| Pesticide residuesMilligrams per kilogram | Tested against destination market maximum residue limits. Dried fruit concentrates residues along with everything else, so the limit is applied to the dried product. |
| Heavy metalsMilligrams per kilogram | Lead, cadmium and arsenic. |
| Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbonsMicrograms per kilogram, benzo(a)pyrene and the sum of four | Comes from direct fire drying and smoke contact at origin. |
| MicrobiologyCounts per gram, with salmonella absence in the stated sample mass | Total plate count, yeasts, moulds, E. coli and salmonella. |
| Metal detection and X-rayDeclared detection thresholds for ferrous, non ferrous and stainless | Applied on the packing line and evidenced on the certificate. |
| IrradiationDeclared, treated or untreated | Destination markets differ on what they permit and on how it must be labelled. |
Certification and packing claims
7 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| OrganicCertificate under the destination market scheme | EU, NOP, JAS or an equivalence arrangement, named with the certifier and certificate number. |
| Fairtrade or equivalentCertificate and transaction certificate | Named scheme, with the transaction certificate issued for the specific lot. |
| Kosher and HalalCertificate from the named authority | Certificate travels with the lot. |
| Food safety schemeBRCGS, IFS, FSSC 22000 or an equivalent, named with the site | The packing site is named on the contract, not just the supplier. |
| Non GMODeclaration | Applies where the crop has a genetically modified counterpart. |
| PackingDeclared: carton, bag in box, vacuum, modified atmosphere or bulk bin, with the liner and net weight | Liner and atmosphere are contract terms, because they decide the moisture and the water activity on arrival rather than on shipment. |
| Storage and transit temperatureDeclared, with the range and the monitoring method | Sugaring, colour drift and moisture migration are all temperature effects. Where the contract is silent, the argument at destination is unwinnable. |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys, California | Origin and destination |
| Chile | Central valley, OHiggins and Maule | Origin and destination |
| France | Lot et Garonne and the Agen basin | Origin and destination |
| Argentina | Mendoza and San Juan | Origin and destination |
| Serbia | Sumadija, Valjevo and the Morava valley | Origin and destination |
| Italy | Emilia Romagna and Piedmont | Origin and destination |
| Spain | Extremadura | Origin and destination |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Central and northern districts | Origin and destination |
| North Macedonia | Ovce Pole and the Vardar valley | Origin and destination |
| Moldova | Central districts | Origin and destination |
| Romania | Arges and the sub Carpathian hills | Origin and destination |
| Bulgaria | Thracian plain | Origin and destination |
| Turkiye | Bursa, Amasya and Tokat | Origin and destination |
| Uzbekistan | Fergana valley and Samarkand | Origin and destination |
| Tajikistan | Sughd | Origin and destination |
| South Africa | Western Cape | Origin and destination |
| Australia | Riverina and the Murray valley | Origin and destination |
| China | Xinjiang and Shandong | Origin and destination |
| Germany | Hamburg and the Rhine | Destination |
| United Kingdom | London and Felixstowe | Destination |
| Netherlands | Rotterdam | Destination |
| France (import) | Le Havre, bakery and retail | Destination |
| Italy (import) | Genoa | Destination |
| Poland | Gdansk, repacking and bakery | Destination |
| Russia | Novorossiysk and Moscow | Destination |
| Ukraine | Odesa | Destination |
| Japan | Tokyo and Yokohama | Destination |
| China (import) | Shanghai and Guangzhou | Destination |
| South Korea | Busan | Destination |
| Canada | Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver | Destination |
| Mexico | Manzanillo and Veracruz | Destination |
| Brazil | Santos | Destination |
| India | Mumbai and Delhi | Destination |
| United Arab Emirates | Dubai | Destination |
| Australia (import) | Sydney and Melbourne | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest | Harvest | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Aug to Sep, arrival Oct to MarSacramento and San Joaquin valleys. dAgen. The reference origin and the largest exporter, shipping year round out of store. | ||||
| Chile | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Feb to Apr, arrival Apr to AugCentral valley. The counter season origin, and the price setter through the northern hemisphere summer. | |||||
| France | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest | Harvest | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Aug to Sep, arrival Oct to FebLot et Garonne. Pruneau dAgen carries a protected geographical indication, and the origin claim is documented. | |||||
| Argentina | Harvest | Harvest | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Feb to Mar, arrival Apr to JulMendoza and San Juan. | ||||||
| Serbia | Arrival | Harvest | Harvest | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Aug to Sep, arrival Oct to JanSumadija and the Morava valley. Pozegaca and Stanley, with a large smoked and semi dried trade. | ||||||
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Arrival | Harvest | Harvest | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Aug to Sep, arrival Oct to JanCentral and northern districts. | ||||||
| Moldova | Arrival | Harvest | Harvest | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Aug to Sep, arrival Oct to JanCentral districts. | ||||||
| Turkiye | Arrival | Harvest | Harvest | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Aug to Sep, arrival Oct to JanBursa, Amasya and Tokat. | ||||||
| Uzbekistan | Harvest | Harvest | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Jul to Aug, arrival Sep to DecFergana valley and Samarkand. | ||||||
| South Africa | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Jan to Mar, arrival Mar to JunWestern Cape. Southern hemisphere supply. | ||||||
| Australia | Harvest | Harvest | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Feb to Mar, arrival Apr to JulRiverina and the Murray valley. |
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 prune. 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 heading0813.20 Prunes, dried
- PackingCartons of 5 kg to 12.5 kg or PP bags of 10 kg to 25 kg with food grade liner. Sulphur dioxide treatment, sorbate treatment and any added oil must be declared on the specification and the label.
- Container loading20ft: 12 t to 18 t. 40ft is normally volume limited. Chilled stow for high moisture grades such as soft prunes and semi dried figs.
- Contract and arbitrationINC and Dried Fruit and Edible Nut trade standards, European trade on the trade contract with arbitration in London, United States trade on Association of Food Industries contracts.
- Destination limitsEU sulphur dioxide limits under Regulation 1333/2008 with mandatory declaration above 10 mg/kg, ochratoxin A limits on dried vine fruit and aflatoxin limits on dried figs under Regulation 2023/915, and pesticide MRLs under Regulation 396/2005. US FDA requires sulphite declaration.
Common questions
What grades of prune does SIP Global trade?
We quote 48 published grades of prune, including Pitted - Stone removed after drying, Unpitted, with stone - Stone in place, Diced or chopped - Cut to a stated dice size, coated to stop it caking, Paste and puree - Milled to a stated particle size, moisture and soluble solids, Juice concentrate - Evaporated to stated soluble solids and Smoked - Cured over wood smoke. Every grade is tied to a delivery point and a settlement route. Grades outside the published list are priced on request.
How is prune graded?
Prunes are contracted on form and final moisture first, then on a count per unit weight, then on defect limits verified on a drawn sample. Grading runs on 5 systems: Product form and preparation, Size and count, Quality and condition, Contaminants and food safety and Certification and packing claims.
Where does SIP Global trade prune?
We trade prune in United States, Chile, France, Argentina, Serbia, Italy, Spain and Bosnia and Herzegovina and 27 further markets. Origins and destinations outside this list trade on request. We are not limited to the locations shown.
When is prune harvested and when does it arrive?
Typical windows are United States: harvest aug to sep, arrival oct to mar; Chile: harvest feb to apr, arrival apr to aug; France: harvest aug to sep, arrival oct to feb; Argentina: harvest feb to mar, arrival apr to jul; Serbia: harvest aug to sep, arrival oct to jan. 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 prune?
Prune is normally classified under HS 0813.20 (prunes, dried). 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 prune?
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 prune 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.
- Codex AlimentariusFAO and WHO food standards
- 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.