Regular raisin users
You often use the same type of fruit for breakfast or baking and are looking for a large pack with a price per kilo you can check. Jumbo’s product information lists sultanas in various pack sizes.
Who might benefit from buying in bulk?
Stocking up when your usage varies
You want to keep dried fruit in the cupboard, but you don’t get through every type at the same rate. So check the pack size and storage instructions, rather than simply choosing the largest bag. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre provides storage advice for specific products, including raisins and mixed dried fruit.
Label-conscious households
You keep an eye on added sugar or need to take a food allergy or sensitivity to sulphites into account. Check each type and variety individually; for example, PLUS’s product information lists sulphites for the apricots described.
What should you look for when buying?
First compare the same type and variety of fruit, then work out how much you actually use, and finally check the product information on the pack.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Genuine savings per kilo | Compare the price per kilogram for the same type of fruit and relevant variety. Only include offers whose terms apply to your purchase. | If you use the same type of fruit regularly, you’ll want to know whether the price per kilo makes the higher spend per purchase worthwhile. Around 31% of consumers prioritise the price per kilo. |
| Using up your supplies | Estimate your usual usage and follow the storage advice on the exact pack. For opened raisins and dried mixed fruit, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends 6–9 months in a kitchen cupboard; this advice does not automatically apply to other products. | If your usage varies by type, you’ll want to avoid buying more than you can use in time. Around 25% of consumers give top priority to using up what they buy. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the ingredients, nutritional information and allergens for the exact variety. The PLUS apricots described list E220, sulphur dioxide and sulphites; this does not mean that all dried apricots have the same ingredients. | If you want to avoid added sugar or need to take a relevant allergen into account, make sure the variety you choose is suitable. Around 25% of consumers prioritise ingredients. |
| Type of fruit and how you’ll use it | Decide whether you want one type of fruit or a mix, whether you want to avoid stones, and how much of each type you’ll use. A fruit and nut mix is not the same as dried fruit on its own. | If you’re looking for different types of fruit for different uses, what’s in the pack matters more than the pack size alone. Around 19% of consumers prioritise variety and how they’ll use it. |
Common buying mistakes
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Assuming a large bag is automatically the best value
A larger pack may have a lower price per kilo, but that doesn’t automatically make it better value for your needs. The Jumbo 750 g sultanas described have a lower listed price per kilo on the product page than the 500 g variety; this comparison applies only to these two varieties.
Compare the same type of fruit by the kilogram, then choose an amount you can use according to the storage instructions.
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Confusing ‘no added sugar’ with ‘sugar-free’
Dried fruit with no added sugar still contains naturally occurring sugars. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre makes this distinction for dried fruit.
Check the ingredients and nutritional information separately, and don’t let a large pack determine how much you eat at a time.
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Assuming all types of dried fruit contain the same allergens
The PLUS apricots described contain E220 and list sulphur dioxide and sulphites. This product feature does not automatically apply to other apricots or types of fruit.
If you have a food allergy or sensitivity to sulphites, check the exact variety and current packaging before buying.
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Assuming one product’s resealable packaging applies to an entire range
ALDI describes resealable packaging for a specific 200 g fruit mix. This doesn’t prove that the 500 g raisin pack has the same type of closure.
Check the seal and follow the storage advice for the product you buy.
If the pack doesn’t seal properly, you may need a suitable storage container.
Supermarket brands compared
Albert Heijn
The official product information lists raisins, as well as dried fruit such as unsweetened pineapple.
- The range information includes examples of different types of fruit.
- Compare the pack size and price per kilo for each specific variety; range information is not an independent quality assessment.
Jumbo
The official product information lists sultanas in pack sizes including 500 g and 750 g.
- The two pack sizes described can be compared directly by net weight and listed price per kilo.
- This comparison applies to these varieties and does not prove that Jumbo is the cheapest supermarket. An organic variety is a separate choice.
Lidl
The official store page lists dried tropical fruits in different 200 g varieties and states that they are sold in store.
- The pack size described offers a smaller quantity of each type of fruit.
- The product page does not confirm local store availability or a regular range of large packs.
Aldi
The official product pages list, among other things, 500 g raisins, 250 g pitted prunes and a separate 200 g fruit mix.
- The pack sizes described allow you to compare different quantities for stocking up.
- Resealable packaging is only specified for the fruit mix mentioned, not for the raisins.
PLUS
The official product information lists sultanas, apricots and mixed dried fruit in various pack sizes.
- Ingredients, nutritional information and allergen details are available for the apricots described.
- The apricot variety lists E220 and sulphites; don’t assume this applies to all PLUS fruit products without checking.
Dirk
The official product listing makes raisins relevant for comparison across the supermarkets mentioned.
- You can include the raisins on offer in a comparison of the same type of fruit.
- Check the net weight and ingredients on the pack; a supermarket’s claim about low prices doesn’t prove that buying in bulk saves money.
Dried fruit at Joybuy
These product options include red jujubes and dried plums for stocking up, snacking or using as an ingredient.
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Haoxiangni pitted jujubes 500 g
A good option if you’re looking for pitted red dates to enjoy as a snack or use as an ingredient.
500 g pack; the product description lists red dates as the only ingredient and advises sealing the pack tightly after opening and storing it in a cool, dry place below 15 °C.
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Haoxiangni red jujubes with stones, Grade 2, 450 g
A good option if you’re looking for jujubes with stones to enjoy as a snack or use in dishes.
450 g pack. The product instructions say to consume the product immediately after opening.
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Haoxiangni Grade A unwashed jujubes 500 g
A good option if you’re looking for jujubes that, according to the product description, don’t need washing.
500 g pack; the product description lists jujubes as the only ingredient. The product instructions say to consume the product immediately after opening.
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7FRESH pitted prunes 430 g
A good option if you’re looking for pitted prunes to enjoy as a snack or add to breakfast or baking.
430 g pack. The ingredients list dried plums; the product instructions say to consume the product immediately after opening.
Frequently asked questions
How do you decide how much dried fruit to stock up on?
Choose an amount that suits your usual usage and follow the storage instructions on the exact pack. For dried fruit with no added sugar, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises eating no more than a handful, as dried fruit contains a lot of sugar.
Can you store every type of dried fruit for the same length of time after opening?
No. Storage advice for one type doesn’t automatically apply to another. For opened raisins and dried mixed fruit, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends 6–9 months in a kitchen cupboard and says these products are less suitable for freezing. Follow the instructions on your pack.
What should you look for if raisins have been in the cupboard for a long time?
Check the condition of the product. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says raisins that are dried out, hard, discoloured or mouldy may show signs of deterioration or spoilage.
What allergen information must a pack provide in the Netherlands?
According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information for prepacked products must appear on the label. Sulphites are among the allergens that must be declared; the PLUS apricots described list sulphur dioxide and sulphites.
Does product information for the Dutch market have to be available in Dutch?
Official government information on food labelling states that label information must be in Dutch and also available online. Check the information for the exact variety you’re considering.