A dried fruit supplier comparison checklist helps buyers compare suppliers on the same product, packaging and evidence assumptions.
A side-by-side supplier comparison is more useful than collecting disconnected quotes. Send each candidate the same product brief, then assess the answers against the same product, documentation, packaging and commercial criteria. This helps buyers make a reasoned shortlist without treating price as the only decision point.
Dried fruit supplier comparison checklist: Give each supplier the same brief
Use the same fruit format, intended use, packaging route, quantity range, destination and timing. If suppliers quote different assumptions, their prices cannot be compared fairly.
Dried fruit supplier comparison checklist: Score product fit first
Check whether the supplier understood the desired format, product experience, ingredient preferences and intended application. Ask which assumptions still need confirmation.
Dried fruit supplier comparison checklist: Compare packaging and private-label readiness.
Review the proposed pack route, artwork handover, product-information responsibilities and approval sequence. A retail pack and bulk carton are not interchangeable offers.
Compare evidence by product, not by headline
List the product, packaging and batch information you need, then ask what is available for the selected product. Do not let a generic certificate claim replace a product-specific answer.
Ask how MOQ and quotation assumptions work
Record what the MOQ covers, whether it applies per SKU, and which variables could alter the final quotation.
Assess working communication
Evaluate how the supplier captures your brief, clarifies gaps, records changes and explains the next approval step. Clear communication reduces commercial risk.
Use an objective next-step rule
Choose whether each supplier is ready for feasibility discussion, needs more evidence, or should not proceed. The comparison matrix should lead to a clear shortlist—not endless email exchanges.
Related VNPROMISE resources
Read the 10 supplier questions
Use the existing buyer checklist
FAQ
Is this checklist or guide a substitute for destination-market approval?
No. Use it to organise a buyer conversation and collect relevant information. Confirm product-, batch- and route-specific requirements with the importer, broker or competent adviser responsible for the actual destination.
Can I use the same brief with more than one supplier?
Yes. Sending the same controlled brief helps buyers compare responses fairly. Keep the supplier answers, assumptions and follow-up questions in one record.