Raisins and other dried grapes occupy a distinct trade lane from fresh grapes, moving primarily through food-ingredient and snack-food supply chains rather than fresh-produce channels. The drying process—sun-dried, mechanically dehydrated, or golden-bleached with sulfur dioxide—affects both product specification and FDA labeling requirements, since sulfite content must be declared when it exceeds regulatory thresholds. The US is itself a major raisin producer, so import volumes are sensitive to domestic crop conditions in California's San Joaquin Valley. FDA governs imported dried fruit for food-safety compliance, and importers must ensure shipments meet applicable food-safety modernization standards.

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