Fresh Shallots Quality Specifications for Importers

IEC | INDONESIA EXPORT CENTER

A PRACTICAL QUALITY CONTROL GUIDE FOR INTERNATIONAL FRESH SHALLOT BUYERS

Understanding Fresh Shallots Quality Specifications

Clear fresh shallots quality specifications help importers, wholesalers, and procurement teams purchase agricultural products with fewer misunderstandings.

Fresh shallots vary naturally according to variety, growing conditions, harvest maturity, curing, handling, and storage.

A promotional description such as Super Premium can be useful for marketing, but international buyers need measurable criteria to determine whether a shipment meets their requirements.

IEC | Indonesia Export Center facilitates sourcing enquiries for Indonesian fresh red shallots and supports discussions about buyer-defined product specifications.

Our featured product reference is Fresh Red Shallots from Bima, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, described as whole, clean, no leaf, with a target size of 28 mm and above.

REQUEST FRESH SHALLOTS SPECIFICATION INFORMATION

Reference Product Specification

Parameter	Promotional Reference	Commercial Verification
Product	Fresh Red Shallots	Confirm product identity
Origin	Bima, Indonesia	Verify lot origin
Grade	Super Premium	Define measurable criteria
Form	Whole, Clean, No Leaf	Agree on cleaning and trimming
Size	28 mm and Above	Define measurement and tolerance
Aroma	Strong Natural Aroma	Evaluate representative samples
Flavor	Sweet-Spicy	Confirm intended application
Firmness	Not numerically specified	Establish acceptance method
Sprouting	Not specified	Set maximum allowance
Mould and Decay	Not specified	Define rejection criteria
Pesticide Residues	Not specified	Apply destination requirements
Packaging	Not specified	Confirm supplier offer

Bulb Size and Diameter

Bulb size can affect appearance, preparation efficiency, and customer acceptance.

A commercial specification should state whether the minimum diameter is measured across the widest part of the bulb and how irregular shapes are handled.

Buyers should also define the permitted proportion of undersized bulbs.

The featured 28 mm reference does not automatically mean every bulb in every lot meets that diameter.

Firmness and Maturity

Firmness may indicate whether the bulb has maintained suitable physical condition.

Buyers should establish a practical inspection method for identifying excessively soft or damaged bulbs.

Maturity and curing should also be evaluated because they can affect handling and storage performance.

Sprouting

Sprouting can influence visual quality, usable yield, and suitability for particular customers.

The buyer should specify whether sprouted bulbs are unacceptable or whether a limited tolerance applies.

The inspection method should distinguish between visible sprouting and other normal bulb characteristics.

Mould, Rot, and Decay

Visible mould and decay are important quality concerns.

Buyers should establish rejection criteria appropriate to the intended market and applicable food safety requirements.

A lot containing significant decay may require further inspection or rejection according to the purchase agreement.

Mechanical Damage

Cuts, crushing, bruising, and skin damage may occur during harvesting, sorting, packing, or transport.

The specification should distinguish between minor cosmetic imperfections and defects affecting product usability.

Foreign Matter and Cleaning

Foreign matter may include soil, stones, plant debris, or other unintended material.

The buyer should define acceptable cleanliness and how foreign matter is measured.

Cleaning and trimming requirements should be confirmed before packing.

Pesticide Residue and Food Safety Testing

Different destination markets may apply different pesticide residue limits and other food safety requirements.

The importer should identify the applicable rules and required laboratory tests.

A laboratory report should be linked to the relevant sample and lot.

A product’s origin or promotional grade does not establish regulatory compliance.

Sampling and Inspection

Sampling should be agreed before the inspection takes place.

A useful inspection plan should define:

Lot identification.
Inspection location.
Number of packages selected.
Method of selecting packages.
Number or weight of bulbs examined.
Defect categories.
Measurement procedures.
Acceptance and rejection criteria.
Inspection report format.
Dispute procedure.

A small sample may not represent a large heterogeneous lot unless the sampling method is appropriate.

Lot Approval and Contract Tolerances

The purchase agreement should state which defects are critical and which are subject to agreed tolerances.

It should also establish whether quality is assessed before loading, at shipment, or upon arrival.

The parties should agree on responsibility for damage occurring during transit.

Packaging and Shipping

Packaging should protect the bulbs and provide suitable ventilation.

Transport conditions should be assessed according to the actual product, maturity, route, and expected transit duration.

The importer must verify destination-specific plant health and food safety requirements.

Buyer Specification Template

Product: Fresh Red Shallots

Origin: Indonesia

Preferred Region: Bima

Grade: Super Premium / Buyer-defined

Form: Whole, Clean, No Leaf

Minimum Diameter: 28 mm / Other

Permitted Undersize: [Specify]

Firmness Requirement: [Specify]

Maximum Sprouting: [Specify]

Maximum Decay: [Specify]

Maximum Mechanical Damage: [Specify]

Foreign Matter Tolerance: [Specify]

Residue Testing: [Specify]

Sampling Method: [Specify]

Packaging: [Specify]

Quantity: [MT]

Inspection Point: [Specify]

Acceptance Procedure: [Specify]

Request Fresh Shallots with Buyer-Defined Specifications

Send your specification and target quantity to IEC for sourcing enquiry coordination.

SUBMIT QUALITY SPECIFICATION AND RFQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Super Premium an internationally standardized shallot grade?

Not necessarily. The grade must be defined by measurable contract criteria.

What is the featured bulb size?

28 mm and above as a promotional target.

Can buyers set defect tolerances?

Yes. The tolerances should be agreed with the supplier.

Is pesticide residue testing mandatory?

Requirements depend on the destination market and the applicable rules.

Can a lot be inspected before shipment?

Potentially, subject to agreed arrangements.

Does a sample guarantee shipment quality?

No. The final lot must be evaluated according to the contract.

What is the MOQ?

MOQ depends on the supplier’s actual offer.

What documents are required?

The importer should confirm applicable commercial, customs, plant health, and food safety documentation.

Build a Clear Shallots Procurement Specification