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Africa produces premium dried apricots, raisins, dates, mangoes, figs, and pineapples for EU and global markets. This guide covers the key producing countries, quality grades, new EU origin labelling rules, aflatoxin limits, sulphite requirements, HS codes and the certifications buyers need.
The global dried fruit market was valued at USD 11.51 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 18.57 billion by 2035 at a 4.9% CAGR, driven by the structural growth of healthy snacking, clean-label food trends, and functional nutrition demand. Africa is a significant and growing producer — South Africa leads as the continent's most export-sophisticated dried fruit industry, Egypt anchors Mediterranean dried date and fig exports, and a new generation of East and West African value-adders are creating competitive dried mango, pineapple, and banana products targeting European health food retailers. For EU importers, Africa offers competitive pricing, organic certification opportunities, and an increasingly sophisticated processing sector. However, compliance requirements have tightened considerably: new EU origin labelling rules took effect on 1 January 2025, aflatoxin monitoring remains a critical priority, and sustainability certification is increasingly a commercial baseline.
South Africa is Africa's leading producer and exporter of dried fruit by both volume and processing sophistication. The Western Cape — centred on Montagu, Barrydale, and the Olifants River Valley — is the heartland of South Africa's dried fruit industry. Key products include: raisins (predominantly Thompson Seedless and Hanepoot varieties), dried apricots (including premium sulphite-free product), prunes, peaches, and figs. South African dried fruits are exported to the UK, continental Europe, Russia, and Asian markets. The industry operates through large packing cooperatives and private exporters with BRCGS-certified facilities, well-established GlobalGAP farm-level certification, and growing organic conversion. South Africa imported USD 4.17 million worth of dried fruits in 2023 — reflecting strong domestic demand for Turkish and global varieties alongside its own export strength.
Egypt's fertile Nile Valley and Mediterranean climate produce some of the world's most sought-after dried dates, figs, and apricots. Egyptian Medjool dates are a premium export product commanding high prices in EU speciality retail. Egypt exports to Europe, the Middle East, and increasingly to Asian markets. The Egyptian General Organization for Import and Export Control (GOEIC) administers quality standards for dried fruit exports. Egyptian dried fruit processing capacity has been upgraded significantly with EU development and private investment funding, improving food safety compliance. The primary market challenge is aflatoxin risk in stored dried figs and apricots — proper moisture control (below 15%) and cool dry storage are critical compliance investments.
Morocco has a longstanding reputation for high-quality dried dates (particularly Medjoul and Mejhoul varieties from the Draa Valley) and dried figs. Strong trade agreements including the EU-Morocco Association Agreement provide preferential access to European markets. Morocco's government agricultural initiatives support dried fruit quality improvement and export promotion, and strong logistics infrastructure linking Casablanca and Agadir to European ports gives competitive freight costs.
Nigeria, Kenya, Senegal, and Ghana are building growing export industries for tropical dried fruits — dried mangoes, dried pineapples, dried bananas, and dried papayas — targeted at EU health food retailers and ingredient buyers. Kenya's dried fruit sector benefits from proximity to the Nairobi air freight hub for smaller premium shipments to European buyers. The tropical dried fruit segment commands significant premiums — organic dried mango from East Africa retails at EUR 15–35/kg in EU health food channels, compared to EUR 8–15/kg for conventional product from Southeast Asia. Quality consistency, microbiology compliance, and organic certification are the key barriers to scaling EU volumes.
| Country | Key Products | Primary Markets | Processing Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Africa | Raisins, dried apricots, prunes, peaches, figs | UK, Germany, Netherlands, Russia | Advanced — BRCGS certified facilities |
| Egypt | Medjool dates, dried figs, dried apricots | EU, Middle East, Asia | Good — GOEIC regulated |
| Morocco | Medjoul/Mejhoul dates, dried figs | EU, Middle East | Good — strong export infrastructure |
| Kenya / Tanzania | Dried mango, pineapple, banana, papaya | EU health food retailers | Emerging — growing certification |
| Nigeria / Senegal / Ghana | Dried mango, pineapple, coconut | EU, Middle East | Developing |
EU Regulation 2023/2429 — effective 1 January 2025 — made country of origin labelling mandatory for a wide range of dried fruits and nuts, including dried apricots, plums, apples, raisins, and peeled almonds, hazelnuts, and walnuts. The country of origin must be stated on packaging. For mixtures from multiple countries, the label may indicate EU, non-EU, or EU and non-EU. This regulation significantly increases documentation and labelling requirements for dried fruit importers and makes supply chain traceability a formal legal requirement. Non-compliance with origin labelling can result in products being refused entry or removed from sale in EU markets.
Aflatoxin contamination is the primary food safety risk for African dried fruit shipments entering the EU. EU Regulation 2023/915 (consolidating and replacing 1881/2006) sets the following maximum limits for dried fruits for direct human consumption: total aflatoxins (B1+B2+G1+G2) maximum 10 μg/kg; aflatoxin B1 maximum 4 μg/kg. For dried figs specifically, limits are 10 μg/kg total and 5 μg/kg B1. Aflatoxin contamination is preventable through proper drying to below 15% moisture content, storage in cool dry conditions (below 20°C, below 65% RH), and use of moisture-controlled packaging. ISO 17025 accredited laboratory test reports for aflatoxin are required with every commercial shipment to EU buyers.
EU Regulation 2023/915 sets an OTA limit of 10 μg/kg for dried vine fruits (raisins, currants, sultanas) and 15 μg/kg for dried figs. OTA is produced by Aspergillus and Penicillium moulds during inadequate drying or damp storage conditions. South African raisins and dried vine fruits face OTA as the primary mycotoxin risk; proper drying management and storage humidity control are the control measures.
Sulphur dioxide (SO2) and sulphites are permitted EU food additives in dried fruits at limits set by Regulation (EC) 1333/2008. SO2 is traditionally used in dried apricots to preserve the orange colour and extend shelf life; untreated apricots oxidise to brown during drying. Maximum permitted SO2 levels in dried apricots are 2,000 mg/kg. If sulphites are present above 10 mg/kg, they must be declared on the label. Growing EU retail demand for sulphite-free (no added SO2) dried apricots creates a premium opportunity for South African and Egyptian producers with the processing capacity to produce unsulphured product.
EU Regulation 396/2005 sets maximum residue levels (MRLs) for pesticide residues in dried fruits. Note that the drying process concentrates pesticide residues — a fresh fruit that complies with fresh produce MRLs may exceed dried fruit MRLs due to the water removal factor. South Africa's Well-Established GlobalGAP and Integrated Production of Wines (IPW) schemes provide systematic pesticide management at farm level. For tropical dried fruit exporters in West and East Africa, pesticide testing of each commercial lot is essential as less formalised pesticide application systems create variable residue risk.
| Product | Key UNECE / EU Grade Parameters | Premium Grade Indicators | HS Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raisins (SA) | Moisture ≤15%, sulphite level, minimum size, defect % | Uniform colour, low moisture, low sulphite / sulphite-free | 0806 20 |
| Dried apricots | Moisture ≤24%, colour, sulphite, absence of pits | Sulphite-free, bright amber colour, EU organic | 0813 10 |
| Dried dates | Moisture 15–35%, colour, pit/pitless, size | Medjool variety, jumbo size, certified origin | 0804 10 |
| Dried mango | Moisture ≤15%, colour, added sugar disclosure | No added sugar, organic, single-variety (Kent/Keitt) | 0813 40 95 |
| Dried pineapple | Moisture ≤15%, colour uniformity, no added SO2 | Organic, no sulphite, no added sugar | 0813 40 95 |
| Dried figs | Moisture ≤26%, aflatoxin compliance, size | Low moisture, aflatoxin below 5 μg/kg B1 | 0804 20 10 |
2025 MRL Update: EU Regulation 396/2005 was updated in 2025 with new, lower MRLs for several pesticides on fruits including acetamiprid on apples, pears, and grapes. African exporters producing dried grape products (raisins), dried apples, and dried pears must verify pesticide applications against the updated 2025 MRL schedule before the 2025/26 drying season.
Required by most EU supermarket retail buyers for the processing and packing facility. Covers food safety management, HACCP, allergen control, traceability, and hygiene. South African facilities are well-certified; East and West African processors are building towards certification.
Mandatory for premium EU retail organic listings. Certification through Ecocert, SKAL, or Naturland. Commands 15–40% price premiums. Three-year conversion period for farms previously using synthetic inputs. Critical for penetrating European health food retail channels.
Increasingly required by European retailer sustainability sourcing policies. Particularly relevant for tropical dried fruits from smallholder-dominated West and East African supply chains where social standards are a buyer concern.
Farm-level certification required by most EU supermarket groups for fresh fruit that will be dried. South Africa's dried fruit sector operates within a GlobalGAP-certified farm supply chain. Essential for export to major EU retail buyers from any origin.
South Africa is Africa's leading dried fruit exporter, specialising in raisins, dried apricots, prunes, peaches and figs exported to UK, Europe and Russia. Egypt exports premium dried dates, figs and apricots to Europe and the Middle East. Morocco exports high-quality dates and figs. Nigeria, Kenya and Senegal are growing exporters of tropical dried fruits targeting EU health food markets.
EU Regulation 2023/915 sets: total aflatoxins (B1+B2+G1+G2) maximum 10 μg/kg for dried fruits for direct human consumption; aflatoxin B1 maximum 4 μg/kg. For dried figs: 10 μg/kg total and 5 μg/kg B1. Aflatoxin is preventable through drying produce to below 15% moisture and storing at below 20°C and 65% RH. ISO 17025 lab test reports are required with every EU shipment.
Key codes: 0803 10 90 (dried bananas), 0804 10 (dates), 0804 20 10 (figs), 0806 20 (raisins), 0813 10 (apricots), 0813 20 (prunes), 0813 30 (dried apples), 0813 40 (peaches, pears, papaya, mango, pineapple), 0813 50 (dried fruit mixtures). Confirm the precise HS sub-heading with your customs broker as duty rates vary.
Yes. EU Regulation 2023/2429, effective 1 January 2025, made origin indication mandatory for dried fruits including dried apricots, plums, apples, raisins, and most dried fruit categories. Products must state country of origin on packaging. For multi-origin mixtures, origin may be stated as EU, non-EU, or EU and non-EU. Non-compliance can result in products being refused entry or removed from EU retail sale.
There is strong and growing EU retail demand for sulphite-free (no added SO2) dried fruits, particularly in organic and clean-label segments. SO2 must be declared on labels if present above 10 mg/kg. Sulphite-free dried apricots from South Africa and Egypt command premiums at EU premium retailers. The maximum permitted SO2 in dried apricots is 2,000 mg/kg under EU Regulation 1333/2008.
For retail supply: BRCGS or FSSC 22000 food safety certification of the processing/packing facility. For premium organic: EU organic certification (Regulation 2018/848) from Ecocert, SKAL or equivalent. For sustainability-conscious buyers: Rainforest Alliance or Fairtrade. All suppliers should provide ISO 17025 lab test reports covering aflatoxin, OTA, pesticide residues and sulphite content per batch.
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