Vegetable oils; ground-nut oil and its fractions, crude, not chemically modified

HS code 150810 covers the import and export of crude, unrefined groundnut (peanut) oil. This vegetable oil is a significant global commodity, with widespread applications in the food, cosmetic, and industrial sectors. As a versatile and affordable oil, groundnut oil plays a crucial role in the global trade of edible oils, contributing to food security and economic development worldwide.

Groundnut oil is typically produced through mechanical extraction or chemical extraction methods. In the mechanical process, groundnuts are cleaned, dried, and then pressed to extract the crude oil. The chemical extraction method involves soaking the groundnuts in a solvent, such as hexane, to separate the oil from the other components. The extracted oil is then refined, bleached, and deodorized to remove impurities and improve its quality and stability.

The primary inputs for the groundnut oil industry include raw groundnuts, which are the main source of the oil. Additionally, the industry requires processing equipment such as oil presses, solvent extraction systems, and refining machinery. Energy sources, such as electricity or fuel, are also necessary for the various stages of production. Packaging materials, such as drums or bottles, are required to store and transport the finished oil.

The main output of HS code 150810 is crude, unrefined groundnut oil. This oil can be further processed and refined to produce a variety of consumer and industrial products. Some of the industries that may consume groundnut oil include 150490 Vegetable fats and oils and their fractions, refined but not chemically modified, 210690 Food preparations not elsewhere specified or included, and 340111 Soap and organic surface-active products and preparations for use as soap, in the form of bars, cakes, moulded pieces or shapes, and paper, wadding, felt and nonwovens, impregnated, coated or covered with soap or detergent.