Iran is one of the largest producers of pistachios, dried figs, dates and raisins in the world.
Using its production capacity, it has been able to export dried fruits and dried fruits to Europe, such as pistachios and dates, and is a great competitor for other producing countries.
Dried fruit exports, 50 countries Iranian dried fruit market
Imports of peanut nuts are growing in Europe, which has increased due to the consumer’s tendency towards a healthy life.
The Netherlands, exports to Germany, the United Kingdom and emerging markets in Central and Eastern Europe provide opportunities for nuts suppliers.
Issuing food safety certification with repeated laboratory tests, along with corporate social responsibility (CSR) standards, can provide great benefits to dried fruit exporters.
According to the statistics of the union of dried fruit exporters in the first seven months of 1396, the export of Iranian pistachios and pistachio kernels weighing 38535.123 tons and worth $ 530623294, has been at the top of Iran’s dried fruit export products.
Raisins with a weight of 51,403,919 tons and a value of $ 90,814,035 were in second place.
Iran is the first exporter of pistachios and the third largest exporter of raisins.
Among the dried fruits exported from Iran, the major part of dried fruits, pistachios, raisins and dates were exported to Europe.
Eastern European countries have also been markets for date exports.
One of the major markets for dried fruit exports are European countries. In the continuation of statistics, the amount of imports, the type of product demanded and the countries applying for dried fruits will be examined separately.
Statistics of dried fruits and dried fruits consumption and consumption in Europe
The European Union is the world’s largest dried fruit market; It accounts for more than 40% of total world imports.
The volume of dried fruit imports to Europe is constantly increasing.
The outlook for dried fruit exports in Europe has been positive for a long time and is expected to continue to grow in the coming years.
Since 2012, the import of dried fruits has increased by 10% in the financial year and in 2016 it reached 11 billion dollars per year.
During the same period, European imports in terms of annual quantity increased by 5% and reached 2.7 million tons.
Categories of products in the export of nuts to Europe
Edible nuts and dried fruits are two different groups of products that are commonly traded by companies in international trade.
The reason for this is that they are more durable compared to fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as easier storage conditions.
Nuts and dried fruits are mostly used as a snack or as a raw material in bakery or confectionery.
Nuts are usually the fruit kernel, which consists of a hard shell and seeds, which is eaten.
But in general, a wide range of dried seeds are also called nuts and include a number of seeds without hard shells (for example, almond kernels).
It is a dried fruit but a fruit from which large amounts of water have been removed in a process. This is done either naturally, through cleaning, or using specialized or dehydrated dryers.
This study contains general information about the nuts and dried fruits market in Europe that is of interest to producers in developing countries.
Dried fruit packaging in Europe
The high share of imports and the existence of large markets such as the Netherlands, Germany, France and the United Kingdom provide opportunities for the development of exporting countries.
The Netherlands, Germany, the United Kingdom and France have provided opportunities for dried fruit exports.
While the UK is the largest importer of nuts, Germany is the largest importer of dried fruit.
In addition to these large markets, the growing markets of Central Europe also provide opportunities for the import of dried fruits.
Types of dried fruits considered in European countries
EU pistachio production is not enough to meet the demand of member countries and therefore imports from the United States and Iran.
In fact, the European Union is a net importer of pistachios due to its very limited production, and almost 100% of this market is supplied by major purchases of pistachios from Iran and the United States.
The United States is Iran’s biggest competitor in the production and export of pistachios.
Products that are facing increasing demand include almonds, Brazil nuts, hazelnuts and prunes.
Nut trade
Due to the climatic conditions of Iran and the appropriate quality of agricultural products, dates and dried fruits, and its potential fields, a very good position can be provided in the field of exporting dried fruits to European markets.
Natural products, low sugar and healthy, are the factors influencing the tendency and increasing consumption of fruits and dried fruits in Europe.
Nuts and dried fruits are two different groups of dried fruits that are usually traded by an international trading company due to their similar working and storage conditions as well as their long shelf life compared to fresh fruits and vegetables.
Quality of dried fruits for export
In order to obtain an export license for dried fruits, the products must be of good quality; For this reason, the full name of the country of origin must be written on the exported nuts; Products that do not meet a specific standard must have a general standard.
The prevalence of mycotoxins in peanut nuts is lower than in other crops such as nuts or corn.
Most, but not all, sources agree that aflatoxin is not a problem in the production of peanut nuts.
Because their shells contain cardol, this prevents the production of aflatoxins.
However, peanut nuts must comply with strict European regulations on maximum levels of contaminants.
The presence of very small amounts of Salmonella and E. Coli in prepared or processed foods, including peanuts, is an important cause of foodborne illness. Tree nut sellers should consider Salmonella and E. Coli as major public health hazards in their HACCP risk analysis programs.
The most common requirements for the export of nuts are listed below:
- Humidity level (maximum is defined for different types of products)
- Size (varies for dried fruits and nuts)
- The amount and type of preservatives
- Quality rating
Dried fruit labels
In the dried fruit trade, the following labels should be on the products.
Product name must be announced; It should be specified if it is naturally dried or sugar has been added to it (for some dried fruits).
Information about nuts should contain specifications, especially if they are in the skin.
For some dried fruits that have seeds or kernels; The label must state this feature.
In addition to the rating, the specifications and year of manufacture of the product must be specified on the label.
Dried fruit packaging for export
Protection of features and product quality
Contamination product protection (including packaging tool contamination)
Protects odors, tastes, colors and other product features
Food safety must be measured to ensure that no high levels of non-chemical chemicals enter the food.
There is no general rule for export packaging.
But dried fruits and peeled nuts are usually packed in cartons with plastic liners.
Peeled nuts used for wholesale are usually packaged in smelly hemp plastic bags.
They can also be packed in wooden boxes. In Europe, the standard volume is 10 kg.
Quality, labeling and packaging are features that should be considered when exporting goods and dried fruits to Europe.
Rules for exporting nuts to Europe
Food safety certification is a common application by the European Union; The most common certificates are BRC / FSSC22000 / IFS
Certificates of organic products and environmental protection are among the most popular certificates.
For organic products, IFOAM certification can be considered.
Organic products can be easily exported from exporting countries whose rules for the production and control of organic products are equivalent to European countries; Such as Argentina, Australia, Canada, Switzerland
Non-European importing countries can obtain and export certificates for their organic products from independent private organizations approved by Europe.
The quality of products and having the necessary and essential standards of the European Union in the food sector is one of the most important requirements for export to Europe.
How are nuts exported to Europe?
The European Union is the largest dried fruit market in the world.
It accounts for more than 40% of total world imports.
The volume of dried fruit imports to Europe is constantly increasing.
The outlook for dried fruit exports in Europe has been positive for a long time and is expected to continue to grow in the coming years.
Due to the climatic conditions of Iran and the appropriate quality of agricultural products, dates and nuts, and its potential fields, a very good position can be provided in the field of exporting nuts to European markets.
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