Dried fruits and nuts are high-value, crop-year products where food-safety testing decides whether a container clears customs. Türkiye leads in hazelnuts, dried apricots, figs and raisins; the United States and Iran in pistachios and almonds; West Africa, India and Vietnam in cashew.
Grades and specifications
| Grade | What it is | Price reference |
|---|---|---|
| Dried apricots | Natural (sun-dried) and sulphured; whole, pitted; by size | Origin quotations, Malatya crop |
| Raisins and sultanas | Seedless, by colour and size | Origin quotations |
| Dried figs | Natural, layered or garland; by size | Origin quotations |
| Hazelnuts | In-shell and kernels, natural, blanched, roasted; by size (mm) | Origin quotations |
| Pistachios, almonds, cashew | In-shell and kernels; grade and count | Origin quotations |
Parameters commonly specified
| Parameter | Typical limit |
|---|---|
| Moisture | To product standard and contract |
| Size / count | Per kg, per ounce or in mm |
| Defects | Insect damage, mould, foreign matter to contract |
| Aflatoxins and ochratoxin A | Within destination limits (EU: Regulation (EU) 2023/915) |
| Sulphur dioxide | Within limits for sulphured apricots |
| Pesticide residues | Within destination MRLs |
Specifications vary by origin, buyer and contract. The contract specification, not a generic sheet, is what the inspector tests against.
Typical contract terms
- Incoterms: FOB, CFR or FCA in containers
- Lot sizes: 20' or 40' containers; reefers for some kernels
- Packing: 10–25 kg cartons or vacuum bags
- Payment: CAD or LC; partial advance is common with smaller buyers
- Crop year: State the crop year in the contract
Documents
Seller provides
- Laboratory analysis for aflatoxins, ochratoxin A and residues from an accredited lab
- Health certificate
- Phytosanitary certificate where required
- Certificate of origin (EUR.1 or form for preferential duty)
- Food-safety certification (e.g. BRC, IFS) of the packer
- Bill of lading, invoice, packing list
Buyer provides
- Food import registration in the destination
- Specification with size, grade, packing and labels
- Bank details for verification
Procedure
- Enquiry and specificationBuyerProduct, grade, quantity, packing, destination, delivery window, Incoterm and payment method, on company letterhead.
- KYC in both directionsBuyerSellerRegistry extracts, ownership, licences and bank details are exchanged and verified. See Documents Checklist.
- Offer and negotiationSellerA firm offer with price basis, validity, quantity tolerance, inspection and payment terms.
- ContractBuyerSellerA sales and purchase agreement on recognised contract terms, with law and arbitration named.
- Payment securityBanksDocumentary letter of credit at sight, confirmed where needed, or another instrument agreed in draft before issue.
- Inspection and loadingSellerPre-shipment sampling and laboratory testing per lot, then supervised container stuffing and sealing.
- Documents and paymentBanksInvoice, bill of lading, health and origin certificates and lab reports, presented through the banks or as cash against documents.
Price reference
| Benchmark or range | Level | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Pistachios | ~$7,500–10,500/MT | Türkiye / Iran / US, 14 Aug 2026 |
| Mixed premium nuts | ~$4,000–8,500/MT | Global, 14 Aug 2026 |
Prices reset with each new crop and move sharply after frost or drought in the main origins. Latest levels are in the Weekly Market Monitor.
- No accredited aflatoxin report per lot: EU border rejections are frequent and are published in the RASFF system
- Old-crop product sold as new crop
- Size or count not fixed in the contract
TradeScout24 Trade Desk · Sources: EU Regulation (EU) 2023/915 on contaminants; TradeScout24 Weekly Market Monitor, 14 Aug 2026 · General information, not an offer or legal advice · Last reviewed 31 Oct 2026