Ground-nuts; seed, not roasted or otherwise cooked, whether or not shelled or broken

HS code 120230 covers the trade of unroasted and uncooked ground-nuts, also known as peanuts. Ground-nuts are a globally important agricultural commodity, serving as a valuable source of protein, oil, and other nutrients. This industry plays a significant role in the global food supply chain, with ground-nuts being widely used in a variety of food products, as well as in the production of animal feed and industrial applications.

The production of ground-nuts typically involves several key steps. Farmers first plant the ground-nut seeds, which then grow underground, producing the edible nuts. The nuts are then harvested, often using specialized machinery. After harvesting, the nuts may be dried, cleaned, and sorted before being packaged and distributed for further processing or consumption.

The main inputs required for the ground-nut industry include arable land, suitable climate conditions, and access to water for irrigation. Farmers also rely on agricultural equipment, such as planting and harvesting machinery, as well as fertilizers and pesticides to ensure optimal crop yields. Additionally, the industry requires a reliable transportation network to move the harvested nuts to processing facilities and distribution centers.

The primary output of the ground-nut industry is the unroasted and uncooked ground-nut itself, which can be further processed, packaged, and distributed for a variety of uses. Ground-nuts are commonly used in the production of 200811 Peanut butter, 230650 Oilcake and other solid residues, whether or not ground or in the form of pellets, resulting from the extraction of ground-nut oil, and 150890 Vegetable fats and oils and their fractions. The industry also generates byproducts, such as ground-nut shells, which can be used for fuel or other industrial applications.