Cereal grains; worked (e.g. hulled, pearled, sliced or kibbled) of oats

HS code 110422 covers the classification of worked cereal grains, specifically oats. Oats are a versatile and nutritious grain that have long been a staple food in many parts of the world. The processing of oats into various forms, such as hulled, pearled, sliced, or kibbled, is an important industry that supports a wide range of food and beverage products. This industry plays a crucial role in the global agricultural economy, providing essential ingredients for breakfast cereals, baked goods, and animal feed.

The production of worked oats under HS code 110422 typically involves several key steps. First, the raw oat grains are cleaned and hulled to remove the inedible outer husk. The hulled oats may then undergo further processing, such as pearling to remove the bran layer, slicing to create oat flakes, or kibbling to produce smaller, broken pieces of oat. These various processing techniques are designed to enhance the texture, cooking properties, and nutritional profile of the oats, making them suitable for a wide range of food applications.

The main inputs required for the production of worked oats under HS code 110422 include the raw oat grains, which are typically sourced from agricultural producers. Additionally, specialized machinery and equipment, such as hullers, pearlers, and slicers, are necessary to perform the various processing steps. Energy sources, such as electricity or fuel, are also required to power the production equipment. Finally, labor and skilled operators are essential for the efficient and consistent processing of the oat grains.

The primary outputs of the industry covered by HS code 110422 are the various forms of worked oats, including hulled, pearled, sliced, and kibbled oats. These processed oat products are then used as ingredients in a wide range of food and beverage items, such as 190410 Cereal foods, swollen or roasted, obtained from maize, 190420 (Cereal grains, otherwise worked (for example, hulled, rolled, flaked, pearled, sliced or kibbled), except rice of heading 1006; germ of cereals, whole, rolled, flaked or ground), and 230120 Flours, meals and pellets, of meat or meat offal, of fish or of crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic invertebrates, unfit for human consumption; greaves. The processed oat products may also be used in animal feed formulations.