Vine Leaves FAQ
The questions B2B buyers ask us most often. If your question is not covered here, send your spec via the contact page and we will come back within 24 hours.
What is the minimum order quantity (MOQ)?
MOQ is quoted by programme. Packaging format, destination, certification scope, and whether the request is a trial shipment or a volume contract all change the commercial floor. Send the target volume and destination port; we will reply with the workable minimum, sample path, and scale-up option.
What is the typical lead time?
Lead times depend on origin, grade, and certification scope:
- Turkiye-origin conventional: 14-21 days from order confirmation
- Pesticide-free: add ~7 days for the residue panel
- Organic certified: 28-42 days from confirmation
- Syrian or Xinjiang origin: add 7-21 days routing time
- Single-origin specification: add 3-7 days consolidation
Sea-freight transit time is in addition to the production lead time above.
Which certifications do you ship with?
ISO 9001 (Quality Management), ISO 22000 (Food Safety Management), and ISO 14001 (Environmental Management) certificate scans are available on request. Pesticide-free programmes additionally include a third-party laboratory residue panel per lot. Organic programmes are sourced via certified organic producer partners; EU Organic and USDA NOP scope depends on the destination requirement and contract. Halal-suitable and Kosher-suitable declarations are available on request, documenting the input list and process; full third-party Halal / Kosher certification is not held in-house.
What packaging formats are available?
- 10 Kg HDPE buckets - retail import and foodservice
- 20 Kg HDPE buckets - retail and manufacturing
- 150 Kg HDPE drums - ready-meal manufacturing
- 180 Kg HDPE drums - volume programmes
All formats are food-grade HDPE with seal-date and brine specification documented per lot. Custom packaging for private label programmes is available on contract.
How do I request a sample?
Sample plans are quoted against the requested variety, grade, packaging format, and destination. Small pre-shipment samples, larger evaluation samples, and multi-variety comparison packs are all possible when stock is available.
What payment terms do you offer?
Payment terms are agreed per programme. New-account terms, LC options, and repeat-buyer contract terms depend on destination, order value, documentation scope, and credit approval.
What is the shelf life and how should the product be stored?
Wet-brine vine leaves have a typical 18-month shelf life at ambient storage (10-25°C, away from direct sunlight). Reefer storage is not required and adds unnecessary cost. Once a container or drum is opened, refrigerate at 0-4°C and consume within 30 days. Freezing damages leaf structure and should be avoided.
What is the difference between conventional, pesticide-free, and organic?
Three programmes with different audit chains:
- Conventional - EU MRL compliant. Reference standard for most retail and ready-meal applications.
- Pesticide-Free - residues tested below the laboratory limit of detection on a defined EU MRL panel. Adds testing scope and lead time.
- Organic Certified - certified organic farming under EU Organic / USDA NOP where that scope is contracted through producer partners. Adds audit-chain scope and lead time.
The blog post on the grade ladder goes deeper.
Which Incoterms do you ship under?
Most B2B programmes ship FOB Mersin or FOB Izmir. CFR and CIF are available on request - we use our own freight forwarder for predictable transit and documentation. Door-to-door DDP is available for selected destinations on contract; quote separately.
Can you supply private label or custom specifications?
Yes - private label, custom drained weight, brine concentration adjustments, and packaging customisation are all available on contract. Custom programmes typically require a 12-month declared volume commitment so the producer can plan harvest allocation. Send your spec and we quote against your audit, packaging, and volume requirements.
Still have a question? Send it via the contact page - we reply within 24 hours.