HS Code:
Spinach, New Zealand spinach, and orache spinach (garden spinach) fall under the HS Code 070970. This category includes fresh or chilled spinach varieties that are widely cultivated and consumed globally for their nutritional value, particularly due to high levels of iron, vitamins, and minerals. Spinach is a staple in many diets, used in salads, cooked dishes, and processed foods. Global trade in this category is driven by demand for fresh produce year-round, with significant seasonal variations and reliance on both temperate and tropical production regions.
Total Trade Volume
Approximately $1.2 billion USD
Data from 2022
Source
United Nations Comtrade Database and International Trade Centre (ITC)
$350 million USD
29.2% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
$200 million USD
16.7% of total trade of total trade
Stable
$150 million USD
12.5% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
$100 million USD
8.3% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
$80 million USD
6.7% of total trade of total trade
Stable
Average Rate
5.5% ad valorem
Highest Rate
15% (applied by certain developing countries to protect local agriculture)
Lowest Rate
0% (under free trade agreements such as EU internal trade or USMCA)
Rising demand for organic spinach
Increased trade in certified organic spinach, with premium pricing driving export growth in countries like the US and EU nations
2021-2022
Growth in processed spinach products
Higher exports of frozen and canned spinach due to longer shelf life and convenience, particularly from China and Spain
2020-2022
Climate change affecting production
Shifts in growing seasons and regions, with some traditional producers facing reduced yields, prompting imports from alternative regions
2019-2022
The European Union introduced stricter maximum residue limits (MRLs) for spinach imports to ensure consumer safety, impacting exporters from non-EU countries.
March 2023
Exporters from countries like China and the US must adapt to new compliance standards, potentially increasing costs but ensuring market access.
The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) has facilitated tariff-free trade of spinach among member countries, boosting exports from Mexico to the US.
July 2020 onwards
Increased market share for Mexican spinach in the US, challenging domestic producers but benefiting consumers with lower prices.
Extreme weather events in Italy, including droughts and floods, have reduced spinach yields, leading to higher reliance on imports from Spain and the Netherlands.
Summer 2022
Shift in trade patterns within the EU, with potential price increases for consumers and opportunities for alternative suppliers.