Raisin
The dried fruit of Vitis vinifera, produced from seedless and seeded grape varieties and dried on the vine, on trays in the sun, or mechanically. Raisins are the largest dried fruit trade in the world by volume. They sell into bakery and biscuit manufacture, breakfast cereal and muesli, confectionery, retail snacking packs, brewing and distilling, meat and sauce preparation, and the traditional dried fruit trade across Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Variety and treatment split the market into distinct articles that share the name: dark natural seedless, golden bleached, sultana, currant, and the large seeded types, each of which is priced against its own reference and not against the others.
Listed raisin markets
Each line is a grade at a delivery point. Open one for its full specification and terms.
Grades
Raisins are contracted on variety and treatment first, then on a screen or a berry count, then on moisture, sugar, stem content and defect limits verified on a drawn sample.
Variety and treatment
15 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Thompson Seedless, naturalSun dried without dipping | Dark, the volume article of the Californian and Turkish trade. |
| SultanaDipped in an alkaline emulsion before drying | Lighter, faster drying, and a distinct article with its own colour reference. |
| Golden bleachedSulphur dioxide treated and mechanically dried | Bright amber, held there by the sulphur. The residual level is a contract term and a label term. |
| Currant, Black Corinth or ZanteA small seedless variety, dried whole | Not a raisin grade. A separate fruit sold on its own ladder. |
| Flame, Crimson and other red seedlessNamed variety | Larger, softer, and sold into premium retail. |
| Muscat and seeded typesNamed variety, seeded or seeds removed | Sold on flavour and on size. The seeding route is declared. |
| Green seedless, Kishmish and Sabza typesNamed variety and treatment | The Afghan, Iranian and Central Asian article, shade dried or dipped, with its own colour scale. |
| Vine driedLeft to dry on the cane on the vine | A distinct production route producing a darker, more concentrated berry. |
| Oiled or unoiledDeclared, with the oil type and percentage | A processing aid that stops the berries caking. Its presence is declared on the label. |
| SulphuredTreated with sulphur dioxide, with the residual level declared in milligrams per kilogram | Preserves the light colour. It is a declared allergen in most destination markets and it is capped by regulation, so the number is a contract term, not a process note. |
| Unsulphured, naturalNo sulphur treatment | Darker, and the market prices the colour difference. Required for most organic and clean label buyers. |
| Sun driedDried in open air at origin, declared | The traditional route. Carries more colour variation and a higher polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon risk where fires are used nearby. |
| 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 |
|---|---|
| Berry count per 100 gramsNumber of berries in one hundred grams | The controlling size term in the Turkish and most of the eastern trade. A lower count means a larger berry. |
| Screen sizeMillimetres of the round hole or slot the berries are graded over | The term used where the lot is sized mechanically rather than counted. |
| Named size gradeNumbered or lettered grades tied to a stated count or screen band | A label for a measurement. The contract carries the measurement. |
| Small berries and finesMaximum percentage by mass passing a stated screen | Priced separately. It is the most common quiet downgrade in bulk lots. |
| UniformityPercentage of the sample within the contracted band | Measured on a drawn sample. |
Quality and condition
16 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Capstems and stemsMaximum count or percentage by mass | The defining defect of this trade, and the term bakery buyers police hardest. Capstem removal is a measurable process step. |
| Sugared and crystallised berriesMaximum percentage by mass | A storage temperature effect, not an origin fault, and it is the most common arrival dispute. |
| Undeveloped and shrivelled berriesMaximum percentage by mass | Berries that never filled. Counted separately from small berries. |
| Sunburn and scorched berriesMaximum percentage by mass | A tray drying defect. |
| Grit, sand and stonesMaximum percentage by mass, stones nil | Tray and ground drying carry sand into the lot. Measured by ash after washing. |
| Seeds and seed fragments in seedless lotsMaximum count in a stated sample mass | A specification term for seedless articles. |
| 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
8 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Turkiye | Manisa, Izmir and the Aegean region | Origin and destination |
| United States | San Joaquin valley, California | Origin and destination |
| Iran | Qazvin, Malayer, Urmia and Khorasan | Origin and destination |
| China | Turpan and the Xinjiang basins | Origin and destination |
| India | Sangli, Nashik and Maharashtra | Origin and destination |
| Chile | Atacama, Coquimbo and the central valley | Origin and destination |
| South Africa | Orange river and the Northern Cape | Origin and destination |
| Afghanistan | Kandahar, Herat and Parwan | Origin and destination |
| Uzbekistan | Samarkand and the Fergana valley | Origin and destination |
| Argentina | San Juan and Mendoza | Origin and destination |
| Greece | Corinth, Achaia and Crete | Origin and destination |
| Australia | Sunraysia and the Murray valley | Origin and destination |
| Spain | Malaga and the Axarquia | Origin and destination |
| Mexico | Sonora and Baja California | Origin and destination |
| Peru | Ica and the coastal valleys | Origin and destination |
| Egypt | Nile delta | Origin and destination |
| Syria | Homs and the interior | Origin and destination |
| Pakistan | Balochistan | Origin and destination |
| United Kingdom | London and Felixstowe, bakery and retail | Destination |
| Germany | Hamburg and the Rhine | Destination |
| Netherlands | Rotterdam | Destination |
| France | Le Havre and Marseille | Destination |
| Italy | Genoa and Naples | Destination |
| Spain (import) | Barcelona and Valencia | Destination |
| Poland | Gdansk, repacking and bakery | Destination |
| Russia | Novorossiysk and Moscow | Destination |
| Ukraine | Odesa | Destination |
| Japan | Tokyo and Yokohama | Destination |
| South Korea | Busan | Destination |
| Canada | Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver | Destination |
| Brazil | Santos | Destination |
| Mexico (import) | Veracruz and Manzanillo | Destination |
| India (import) | Mumbai and Delhi | Destination |
| Indonesia | Jakarta | Destination |
| Malaysia | Port Klang | Destination |
| Philippines | Manila | Destination |
| United Arab Emirates | Dubai | Destination |
| Saudi Arabia | Jeddah and Dammam | Destination |
| Australia (import) | Sydney and Melbourne | Destination |
| New Zealand | Auckland | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turkiye | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Aug to Sep, arrival Sep to MarManisa and the Aegean. Sultana. The largest exporter and the reference price for the sultana article. The crop is fixed in September and the market carries for twelve months. | ||||
| United States | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest | Harvest | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Aug to Sep, arrival Oct to MarSan Joaquin valley. Thompson Seedless, natural and golden. The reference for the Californian natural article. | ||||
| Iran | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Aug to Oct, arrival Oct to FebQazvin, Malayer and Khorasan. Sultana, golden and green Kishmish types. | |||||
| China | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest | Harvest | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Aug to Sep, arrival Oct to FebTurpan and the Xinjiang basins. Shade dried green seedless and a large domestic trade. | |||||
| India | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Feb to Apr, arrival Apr to AugSangli and Nashik. A counter seasonal northern hemisphere crop, which makes it the swing origin in the spring. | |||||
| Afghanistan | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest | Harvest | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Aug to Sep, arrival Oct to FebKandahar and Herat. Green raisin and golden jumbo, moving overland. | |||||
| Uzbekistan | Arrival | Harvest | Harvest | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Aug to Sep, arrival Oct to JanSamarkand and the Fergana valley. | ||||||
| Chile | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Feb to Apr, arrival Apr to AugAtacama, Coquimbo and the central valley. The main southern hemisphere origin, arriving in the northern hemisphere gap. | |||||
| South Africa | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Jan to Mar, arrival Mar to JulOrange river and the Northern Cape. Golden, sultana and Thompson. | |||||
| Argentina | Harvest | Harvest | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Feb to Mar, arrival Apr to JulSan Juan and Mendoza. | ||||||
| Greece | Arrival | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Aug to Sep, arrival Sep to JanCorinth, Achaia and Crete. The reference origin for currants, which carry a protected designation. | ||||||
| Australia | Harvest | Harvest | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Feb to Mar, arrival Apr to JulSunraysia and the Murray valley. | ||||||
| Spain | Harvest | Harvest | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Aug to Sep, arrival Oct to DecMalaga and the Axarquia. Muscat, small volume and high specification. |
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 raisin. 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 heading0806.20 Grapes, 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 raisin does SIP Global trade?
We quote 51 published grades of raisin, including Thompson Seedless, natural - Sun dried without dipping, Sultana - Dipped in an alkaline emulsion before drying, Golden bleached - Sulphur dioxide treated and mechanically dried, Currant, Black Corinth or Zante - A small seedless variety, dried whole, Flame, Crimson and other red seedless - Named variety and Muscat and seeded types - Named variety, seeded or seeds removed. Every grade is tied to a delivery point and a settlement route. Grades outside the published list are priced on request.
How is raisin graded?
Raisins are contracted on variety and treatment first, then on a screen or a berry count, then on moisture, sugar, stem content and defect limits verified on a drawn sample. Grading runs on 5 systems: Variety and treatment, Size and count, Quality and condition, Contaminants and food safety and Certification and packing claims.
Where does SIP Global trade raisin?
We trade raisin in Turkiye, United States, Iran, China, India, Chile, South Africa and Afghanistan and 32 further markets. Origins and destinations outside this list trade on request. We are not limited to the locations shown.
When is raisin harvested and when does it arrive?
Typical windows are Turkiye: harvest aug to sep, arrival sep to mar; United States: harvest aug to sep, arrival oct to mar; Iran: harvest aug to oct, arrival oct to feb; China: harvest aug to sep, arrival oct to feb; India: harvest feb to apr, arrival apr to aug. 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 raisin?
Raisin is normally classified under HS 0806.20 (grapes, 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 raisin?
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 raisin 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.