Spices; cloves (whole fruit, cloves and stems), neither crushed nor ground

HS code 090710 covers whole, uncrushed, and unground cloves, which are an important spice used in a variety of cuisines around the world. Cloves are the dried flower buds of the Syzygium aromaticum tree, native to the Maluku Islands of Indonesia. As a key ingredient in many traditional dishes, the global trade and consumption of cloves play a significant role in the international spice market and broader food industry.

Cloves are harvested by hand when the flower buds are at their peak maturity, typically a few days before they open. The buds are then dried in the sun or using artificial heat until they reach the desired moisture content. Careful drying is crucial to preserve the essential oils that give cloves their distinctive aroma and flavor. After drying, the cloves are sorted, graded, and packaged for distribution and sale.

The primary inputs for the clove industry are the Syzygium aromaticum trees, which require specific tropical growing conditions to thrive. Cultivation also requires land, labor, and equipment for harvesting and processing the cloves. Additionally, the industry relies on transportation and logistics infrastructure to move the cloves from production regions to global markets.

The primary output of HS code 090710 is whole, unground cloves, which are used as a spice in a wide range of food products, including curries, marinades, baked goods, and beverages. The cloves produced under this code may also be further processed and incorporated into other HS code classifications, such as 091012 Spices; cloves, crushed or ground.