Turkish Raisins: Bulk Supply, Sultana Types, Grades and Private Label Options for Professional Buyers

Quick Answer for Buyers

Turkish raisins are one of the most important dried fruit products for global food trade. They are widely used in bakery, breakfast cereals, granola, trail mixes, confectionery, snack packs, food-service recipes and industrial food manufacturing.

In international trade, Turkish raisins are often discussed together with Turkish sultanas, because Turkey is a major origin for seedless dried grapes, especially from the Aegean Region. Sultanas are commonly produced from seedless grape varieties and are usually lighter in color than natural dark raisins. The Codex Standard for Raisins applies to dried grapes from Vitis vinifera L. that are processed and offered as raisins or sultanas.

For professional buyers, Turkish raisins are not only one product. They can be supplied as natural seedless raisins, sultanas, golden raisins, organic raisins, industrial raisins, retail-ready raisins and private label packs. The right specification depends on color, size, moisture, oiling, cleaning level, certification, packaging and destination market requirements.

Sultan of Figs supports B2B raisin enquiries for importers, wholesalers, retailers, food manufacturers, HoReCa buyers and private label brands. Product discussions can include specification, grade, color type, size, packaging, export documentation, palletizing and international delivery options.

Why Turkish Raisins Matter in Global Dried Fruit Trade

Turkey is one of the most recognized origins for dried fruits, and raisins are an essential part of this category. Turkish raisins are especially valued because they can serve both value-focused everyday product ranges and premium, organic or private label programs.

For buyers, Turkish raisins offer three major advantages:

1. Strong dried fruit origin identity Turkey is already well known among importers, distributors and food manufacturers for dried fruits.
2. Flexible commercial applications Turkish raisins can be used in retail packs, bakery products, cereal mixes, granola, confectionery, food-service menus and industrial food production.
3. Different product styles and color options Buyers may choose natural dark raisins, lighter sultanas, golden raisins, organic options or private label consumer packs depending on the target market.

The European market for dried grapes is regulated by strict food-safety and labelling expectations, including controls for pesticide residues and ochratoxin A. Buyers also often expect GFSI-recognized food-safety certification and clear product documentation.

Raisins, Sultanas and Golden Raisins: Understanding the Difference

The words raisins, sultanas and golden raisins are sometimes used interchangeably, but they do not always mean the same product in trade.

Natural Seedless Raisins

Natural seedless raisins are usually darker dried grapes. They are dried naturally, often by sun drying or controlled drying methods, and they keep a darker brown to blackish appearance.

Natural seedless raisins are commonly used in:

• Bakery products
• Cakes and cookies
• Breakfast cereals
• Granola and muesli
• Trail mixes
• Food-service recipes
• Industrial food manufacturing

Natural raisins are often preferred when the buyer wants a traditional raisin flavor and darker appearance.

Turkish Sultanas

Turkish sultanas are generally lighter than natural raisins. In the Turkish dried grape industry, sultanas are commonly produced by dipping grapes in a solution that may include potassium carbonate and vegetable oil, which helps reduce drying time and preserve a lighter color. Industry sources describe Turkish sultanas as being classified mainly by color type and berry size.

Sultanas are commonly used in:

• Retail snack packs
• Bakery products
• Breakfast cereals
• Granola
• Confectionery
• Food-service packs
• Private label dried fruit ranges

Golden Raisins

Golden raisins are lighter, yellow-golden raisins. Their production process usually aims to maintain a bright golden appearance. In some markets, golden raisins may involve sulphur dioxide treatment to preserve color, so buyers must always check SO₂ limits, allergen labelling requirements and destination-market regulations.

Golden raisins are used when the buyer needs:

• A bright color
• Premium shelf appearance
• Light-colored bakery applications
• Retail snack packs
• Premium dried fruit mixes

Turkish Raisin Color Types: Type 7, Type 8, Type 9, Type 10 and Type 11

One of the most important commercial details in Turkish sultanas is the color type.

Turkish sultanas are commonly classified from Type 7 to Type 11, where Type 7 represents the darkest color and Type 11 represents the lightest color.

The lighter the color, the more attractive the product may be for certain retail or premium applications. However, color alone does not determine quality. A darker raisin can still be a good product if it has the right moisture, flavor, cleanliness, size and food-safety compliance.

Raisin Size Grades: Understanding Berry Count

Raisin and sultana size is often classified by berry count per 100 grams. This is different from almonds, cashews and hazelnuts.

For almonds and cashews, lower count numbers usually mean larger kernels. For raisins, commercial size classes are often described as extra jumbo, jumbo, standard, medium, small and extra small, depending on the number of berries in a weight sample.

The practical rule is:

Fewer berries per 100 g = larger raisins More berries per 100 g = smaller raisins

Larger raisins are often preferred for premium retail packs, visible snack mixes and decorative bakery applications. Smaller raisins may be suitable for industrial processing, cereal mixes, bakery fillings and price-sensitive programs.

Main Commercial Forms of Turkish Raisins

1. Conventional Turkish Raisins

Conventional Turkish raisins are the most common option for bulk and industrial use. They can be supplied in different colors, sizes and packaging formats depending on the buyer’s specification.

Typical applications include:

• Bakery
• Cereals
• Granola
• Biscuits
• Cakes
• Trail mixes
• Food-service recipes
• Industrial food production

2. Organic Turkish Raisins

Organic Turkish raisins are produced and certified according to organic farming and processing rules. They are often used by brands targeting health-conscious consumers, organic retail shelves, specialty stores and premium e-commerce channels.

Organic buyers should clearly define:

• Organic certification requirement
• Destination market regulation
• Packaging type
• Pesticide residue expectations
• Labelling language
• Retail or bulk format
• Traceability requirement

3. Turkish Sultanas

Sultanas are a key Turkish dried grape product. They are widely used in bakery, cereals, retail snack packs and dried fruit mixes because of their lighter color and familiar commercial identity.

Buyers should specify:

• Color type
• Size grade
• Moisture profile
• Oiling requirement
• Packaging format
• Destination-market food safety requirements

4. Golden Raisins

Golden raisins are selected for their bright color and visual appeal. They are especially useful for premium retail packs, bakery decoration, snack mixes and giftable dried fruit products.

Important buyer questions include:

• Is sulphur dioxide used?
• What is the SO₂ level?
• Is sulphite declaration required on the label?
• What color stability is expected during shelf life?
• What packaging barrier is required?

5. Industrial Raisins

Industrial raisins are used by food manufacturers that process the product further. They may be used in biscuits, cereals, fillings, bars, granola, bakery products and confectionery.

For industrial use, visual perfection may be less important than:

• Consistent moisture
• Good flowability
• Low foreign matter
• Clean taste
• Food safety compliance
• Stable performance in production
• Price and supply consistency

6. Retail and Private Label Raisins

Retail raisins are packed for supermarkets, specialty stores, e-commerce platforms or private label brands. These products require not only the right raisin specification but also correct packaging, labelling and shelf presentation.

Retail formats may include:

• 100 g packs
• 150 g packs
• 200 g packs
• 250 g packs
• 500 g packs
• 1 kg family packs
• Stand-up zipper pouches
• Branded private label packs

Which Raisin Type Should a Buyer Choose?

For Bakeries

Recommended options:

• Natural seedless raisins
• Turkish sultanas
• Industrial raisins
• Small or medium size raisins

Important criteria:

• Moisture stability
• Flavor
• Cleanliness
• Size consistency
• Heat performance
• Low foreign matter

For Breakfast Cereal and Granola Producers

Recommended options:

• Sultanas
• Natural seedless raisins
• Medium or small raisins
• Organic raisins for premium products

Important criteria:

• Flowability
• Moisture control
• Non-sticky texture
• Size consistency
• Low clumping
• Food safety compliance

For Retail Snack Brands

Recommended options:

• Sultanas
• Golden raisins
• Organic raisins
• Jumbo or standard size raisins
• Private label packs

Important criteria:

• Attractive appearance
• Color consistency
• Pleasant texture
• Clean taste
• Strong packaging
• Long shelf life

For Food-Service and HoReCa Buyers

Recommended options:

• Bulk sultanas
• Conventional raisins
• Organic raisins for premium kitchens
• Food-service packs

Important criteria:

• Practical pack size
• Easy storage
• Consistent quality
• Good price-performance balance

For Industrial Food Manufacturers

Recommended options:

• Industrial raisins
• Natural seedless raisins
• Small or medium size raisins
• Specification-based bulk supply

Important criteria:

• Stable supply
• Batch consistency
• Moisture control
• Foreign matter control
• Food safety documentation
• Competitive pricing

Quality Parameters Professional Buyers Should Check

A raisin quotation should never be evaluated only by price. The buyer should check the product specification carefully.

1. Product Type

The specification should clearly state whether the product is natural seedless raisins, sultanas, golden raisins, organic raisins or industrial raisins.

2. Color Type

For Turkish sultanas, color type is very important. Type 7 is darker, while Type 11 is lighter. Buyers should match color type to the final product and target market.

3. Size Grade

Size affects visual appearance, texture and application. Retail buyers may prefer larger berries, while cereal and bakery manufacturers may prefer medium or smaller sizes for even distribution.

4. Moisture

Moisture affects softness, shelf life, stickiness, clumping and food safety. Codex states that raisins must be reduced in moisture to a level that assures product preservation.

5. Oiling

Some raisins are lightly oiled to reduce clumping and improve flowability. The oil type and level should be clearly agreed, especially for industrial buyers and private label products.

6. Stem and Foreign Matter Control

Professional buyers should check tolerances for stems, capstems, stones, dust, sand, insects, damaged berries and other foreign materials.

7. Defects

Common defects may include sugared berries, immature berries, damaged berries, fermented berries, moldy berries, discolored berries or berries with poor texture.

8. Sulphur Dioxide

Sulphur dioxide may be relevant for light-colored or golden raisin products. If sulphites are present above regulatory thresholds, label declaration may be required in many markets. Buyers must check the rules of the destination country.

9. Ochratoxin A and Food Safety

Ochratoxin A is an important mycotoxin risk for dried grapes. CBI highlights that European market entry requires compliance with limits for ochratoxin A and pesticide residues.

10. Pesticide Residues

Pesticide residue compliance is especially important for the EU, UK and other regulated markets. Organic products require even stricter documentation and certification.

11. Certification

Depending on the buyer and market, requests may include BRCGS, IFS, FSSC 22000, ISO 22000, HACCP, organic certification, kosher, halal or other documentation.

12. Traceability

Traceability is critical for professional buyers. Lot numbers, crop year, origin, processing facility and batch documentation should be clear.

Packaging Options for Bulk, Food-Service and Private Label Raisins

Packaging should be selected according to product type, destination, storage condition and final use.

Common packaging options include:

• 10 kg cartons
• 12.5 kg cartons
• 25 lb cartons
• 5 kg food-service packs
• 1 kg packs
• 500 g retail packs
• 250 g retail packs
• Stand-up zipper pouches
• Private label consumer packs
• Bulk bags for industrial use
• Palletized export cartons

Packaging decisions should consider:

• Shelf life
• Moisture protection
• Clumping risk
• Oxygen barrier
• Light exposure
• Retail presentation
• Label language
• Destination-market regulation

For private label programs, packaging must also match the buyer’s brand identity and local labelling requirements.

Private Label Turkish Raisins

Private label raisins allow retailers, distributors, e-commerce sellers and specialty food brands to sell Turkish dried grapes under their own brand.

A private label project may include:

• Product selection
• Organic or conventional choice
• Color type selection
• Size selection
• Retail pack size
• Brand label design
• Label language
• Barcode and product information
• Carton design
• Pallet configuration
• Export documentation
• Delivery term planning

For private label requests, buyers should share logo files, target market, pack size, label language, preferred packaging material, expected annual volume and any certification requirement.

Export Documentation and Delivery Terms

International dried fruit sourcing requires clear documentation and shipment preparation.

Depending on the destination and agreement, documentation may include:

• Commercial invoice
• Packing list
• Certificate of origin
• Phytosanitary certificate where required
• Health certificate where required
• Certificate of analysis
• Pesticide residue analysis where required
• Ochratoxin A analysis where required
• Product specification sheet
• Organic certificate where applicable
• Batch or lot traceability information
• Transport documents

Sultan of Figs can discuss shipment preparation according to the buyer’s required route, destination and delivery term. Products can be palletized, wrapped and loaded for truck or container transport.

For selected destinations and commercial agreements, DAP or DDP delivery may be discussed. Under DDP terms, customs clearance and applicable import duties are included in the delivery arrangement. Availability depends on destination country, customs process, product specification, order quantity and final quotation.

HS Code for Raisins

For customs classification, dried grapes are generally listed under HS code 080620. The United Nations classification identifies 080620 as “fruit, edible; grapes, dried.” Final classification should always be confirmed with the importer, customs broker or official tariff system of the destination country.

What to Include in a Raisin Quotation Request

A detailed quotation request helps the supplier prepare a useful offer.

Please include:

• Required product type: sultanas, natural raisins, golden raisins, organic raisins or industrial raisins
• Color type requirement, if applicable
• Size grade requirement
• Moisture expectation
• Oiling requirement
• Organic or conventional requirement
• Estimated order quantity
• Packaging format
• Destination country
• Preferred delivery term: EXW, FCA, FOB, CFR, CIF, DAP or DDP
• Required certificates or analyses
• Private label details, if any
• Expected reorder frequency
• Intended application: retail, bakery, cereal, food-service or industrial production

A buyer who only asks for “raisin price” may receive a general offer. A buyer who shares product type, color, size, packaging and destination can receive a more accurate commercial quotation.