What we trade · 01
Nuts, seeds and dried fruit, sourced to specification.
Wholesale tree nuts, seeds, dried and freeze-dried fruit and berries for manufacturers, snack packers, bakers and retailers. We find and qualify producers, check the specification and negotiate the contract.
Wholesale nuts, seeds and dried fruit for US, UK and EU buyers
Nuts, seeds and dried fruit are bought on specification. Grade, size, moisture, color and contaminant results decide whether a lot is accepted, while crop, weather and currency move availability each season. Buyers need more than one producer in view.
We work for the buyer or the producer, depending on the deal. For buyers we shortlist producers that can meet the specification and volume, compare offers on a landed-cost basis and negotiate terms. For producers we prepare the product for the destination market and present it to importers, packers and manufacturers. This is one of the categories the Functional Brands Group team has worked in.
What we supply
Typical products we can source or represent, subject to crop and origin:
Tree nuts
hazelnuts, almonds, walnuts, pistachios, pecans, cashews, Brazil nuts and macadamias — in shell, kernels, blanched, roasted, diced, sliced, flour and paste.
Seeds
sunflower and pumpkin seed kernels, chia, flaxseed, sesame and amaranth.
Dried fruit
raisins and sultanas, apricots, figs, dates, prunes and apple pieces.
Berries
dried cranberries, blueberries and goji berries; frozen raspberries and blueberries.
Freeze-dried fruit
whole, sliced, diced and powdered, for cereals, snacks and drinks.
Mixes and inclusions
snack and trail mixes, cereal and bakery inclusions.
Which formats and specifications do buyers ask for?
Bulk product usually ships in cartons, vacuum-packed bags, multiwall paper bags or bulk bags, palletized for container freight. Retail and foodservice product ships in pouches, tubs, jars and portion packs, including private label.
Parameters we check against the buyer's specification and the certificate of analysis:
- Grade, size or count, and the share of broken, split or damaged kernels
- Moisture and water activity
- Color, taste and odor; rancidity indicators such as peroxide value and free fatty acids
- Aflatoxins and other mycotoxins, against the limits of the destination market
- Microbiology, including Salmonella, E. coli, yeast and mold
- Foreign material, shell fragments and pest damage
- Pesticide residues
- Processing: pasteurization or another validated kill step, roasting, blanching, sulfiting of dried fruit
- Certificates the buyer requires, such as organic, kosher, halal or GFSI-benchmarked food safety certification
- Shelf life, storage conditions and packaging
Who buys nuts, seeds and dried fruit?
- Snack, cereal, bakery and confectionery manufacturers buying ingredients and inclusions
- Nut and dried-fruit packers and roasters
- Importers and ingredient distributors
- Retailers and wholesalers buying branded or private-label packs
- Foodservice and industrial bakery buyers
Quality and compliance checks
Before a contract is signed we review:
- US entry: the producing facility's FDA food facility registration where required, FDA prior notice for each shipment, and supplier documents that support the importer's Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) under FSMA.
- Allergens: tree nuts and sesame are major food allergens in the US, and sulfites at 10 ppm or more must be declared. In the UK and EU, nuts, sesame and sulfites above 10 mg/kg must be emphasized in the ingredients list.
- Mycotoxins: EU and UK maximum levels for aflatoxins in nuts and dried fruit are generally stricter than US action levels, so a lot that suits one market may not suit another. Ochratoxin A in dried vine fruit is checked for UK and EU buyers. Some product and origin combinations also face increased border checks in the UK and EU, with sampling and official certificates.
This is a checklist, not legal advice. We work alongside licensed customs brokers and regulatory consultants. See ingredient sourcing and brokerage and negotiation.
Questions
Can you supply nuts and seeds that meet EU aflatoxin limits?
We can source lots tested against EU and UK maximum levels, which are generally stricter than US action levels. We ask for a certificate of analysis from an accredited laboratory for each lot, check it against your specification before shipment, and can arrange independent pre-shipment sampling where you want a second result.
Do you supply both bulk and retail-packed nuts and dried fruit?
Yes. We source bulk kernels, seeds and dried fruit for manufacturers and packers, and we work on retail-ready and private-label packs for distributors and retailers. For private label we can help find a packer, check the label for the destination market and coordinate artwork approval. Formats and minimum orders depend on the producer.
What do you need from us to quote?
The product, grade or specification, target volume and delivery frequency, destination market and delivery point, required certificates, packaging and your timing. If you have a spec sheet, attach it. We reply within two working days with questions, sample options or a shortlist of producers.