The Germany market for Indian dehydrated garlic and onion
EU seasoning makers buy flakes and powder against microbiological and pesticide specifications; Germany and the Netherlands are traditional buyers.
Indian community in Germany (Ministry of External Affairs estimate): 364,013 (NRI 300,000 + PIO 64,013).
Dehydrated Garlic and Onion specification for Germany orders
| Parameter | Typical export value |
|---|---|
| Moisture | ≤ 5-6% onion; ≤ 6% garlic (typical) |
| Colour | White to creamish (white onion); pink (red onion) (typical) |
| Mesh sizes | Flakes 8-20 mm; chopped 3-5 mm; minced 1-3 mm; granules 0.2-0.5 mm; powder 80-100 mesh (typical) |
| TPC | ≤ 100,000-500,000 cfu/g standard; lower for low-micro grades (typical) |
| Salmonella | Absent in 25 g |
Final values are agreed per contract and checked against the Germany requirements below, then confirmed by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Import requirements in Germany
| Requirement | Regulator | Document / registration |
|---|---|---|
| Border control & pre-notification | Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE | CHED in TRACES NT; entry via BCP |
| Increased official controls | DG SANTE (Reg. (EU) 2019/1793 as amended by 2026/1206) | Official certificate + lab results for Annex II items; CHED; identity/physical check at set frequency |
| Ethylene oxide | DG SANTE / RASFF | EtO MRL 0.1 mg/kg (sum) for spices; Spices Board pre-export testing |
| Aflatoxin & Sudan dyes | DG SANTE (Reg. 2023/915) | Aflatoxin B1 5 / total 10 ug/kg; Sudan dyes zero tolerance |
General guidance as of November 2026. Confirm with your customs broker or the regulator before shipping. Final regulatory decisions require professional verification.
Shipping dehydrated garlic and onion to Germany
Typical sea transit Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Nhava Sheva) → Hamburg: 21-27 via Suez; 31-38 via Cape days. North Europe loop usually Rotterdam-Felixstowe-Hamburg-Antwerp order varies by service
Supply window: Indian dehydrated garlic and onion is mainly produced or harvested Harvest Mar-Apr (ASSUMPTION); Rabi (storable) Mar-May; kharif Oct-Dec; late-kharif Jan-Feb (ASSUMPTION). Allow 21-27 via Suez; 31-38 via Cape days at sea plus 5–10 days for inspection, export clearance and Germany customs when you set delivery dates.
Container loading (estimate): 20' about 10-14 MT (flakes) / 14-17 MT (powder), 40' HC about 20-24 MT.
Quoted on FOB, CFR, CIF, FCA; CIF Hamburg is the common choice for first orders.
Where buyers are in Germany
| City | Port / airport | Buyer sectors |
|---|---|---|
| Berlin | Hamburg (rail/canal); Rostock (Baltic) (inland) · Berlin Brandenburg (BER) | South Asian grocery wholesalers, HORECA (large restaurant scene), textile/garment importers |
| Hamburg | Port of Hamburg (Germany's largest; HHLA / Eurogate terminals) · Hamburg (HAM) | HORECA, Spice/tea/coffee trading houses (Speicherstadt tradition), South Asian grocery importers |
| Munich | Hamburg / Bremerhaven (rail); increasingly Trieste / Koper via Adriatic (inland) · Munich | HORECA, Auto-component & engineering goods buyers, IT services buyers |
| Cologne | Rotterdam / Antwerp via Rhine (Häfen Köln - Niehl inland container port); inland · Cologne | confectionery (ISM), HORECA, South Asian & Turkish grocery wholesalers |
| Frankfurt am Main | Hamburg / Bremerhaven / Rotterdam (inland; Rhine-Main inland ports) · Frankfurt (FRA) - Eu | South Asian grocery wholesalers, Trade-fair buyers (Ambiente, Heimtextil |
| Stuttgart | Hamburg / Bremerhaven / Rotterdam (Neckar inland port Hafen Stuttgart); inland · Stuttgart | HORECA, Auto-component & engineering goods buyers (castings, forgings |
Frequently asked questions
What do I need to import dehydrated garlic and onion into Germany?
Key requirements: Border control & pre-notification — Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE (CHED in TRACES NT; entry via BCP); Increased official controls — DG SANTE (Reg. (EU) 2019/1793 as amended by 2026/1206) (Official certificate + lab results for Annex II items; CHED; identity/physical check at set frequency); Ethylene oxide — DG SANTE / RASFF (EtO MRL 0.1 mg/kg (sum) for spices; Spices Board pre-export testing); Aflatoxin & Sudan dyes — DG SANTE (Reg. 2023/915) (Aflatoxin B1 5 / total 10 ug/kg; Sudan dyes zero tolerance). Your customs broker confirms the full list for your HS line.
How long does shipping from India to Germany take?
Typically 21-27 via Suez; 31-38 via Cape days port-to-port from Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Nhava Sheva) to Hamburg, plus 5–10 days for stuffing, export clearance and destination clearance (estimates).
Does Germany have a trade agreement with India?
No bilateral FTA (EU competence). India–EU FTA concluded 27 Jan 2026, signing expected Dec 2026, not yet in force — until then MFN tariffs apply [S7][S8]; India graduated from EU GSP for 2026–2028 (Reg. (EU) 2025/1909) so MFN duties apply until the FTA enters into force (expected 2027) [06 §C.4] A preferential certificate of origin is needed to claim any reduced duty.
Which HS code applies to dehydrated garlic and onion from India?
Usually HS 071220. Germany applies its own national tariff extension to the 6-digit code; confirm the full line with your broker.
What forms of dehydrated onion do you supply?
Flakes (kibbled), chopped, minced, granules and powder, plus fried (crispy) onion.
Where is Indian dehydrated onion made?
Mainly in the Mahuva cluster of Bhavnagar district, Gujarat, using white onion grown in Saurashtra.
What is the shelf life?
Typically 18-24 months in sealed, double-poly-lined cartons stored dry.
Related guides
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Tell us grade, quantity and your port in Germany. We quote CIF/CFR with the destination documents listed above.