Flours, meals and pellets; of fish or of crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic invertebrates

HS code 230120 covers the production and trade of flours, meals, and pellets derived from fish, crustaceans, molluscs, and other aquatic invertebrates. This industry plays a vital role in the global food supply chain, providing essential nutrients and protein sources for both human and animal consumption. As a key component of the broader seafood processing sector, the 230120 industry is closely linked to the fishing, aquaculture, and animal feed industries, making it an important contributor to the overall economy.

The production of flours, meals, and pellets under HS code 230120 typically involves a multi-step process. First, the raw materials (e.g., fish, crustaceans, molluscs) are harvested, cleaned, and processed. This may include drying, grinding, or other mechanical techniques to transform the raw materials into a fine powder or pellet form. The resulting products are then packaged and distributed for use in various food and feed applications.

The main inputs required for the 230120 industry include the raw aquatic materials (e.g., 030101 Fish, live, 030211 Fish, fresh or chilled, 030611 Crustaceans, frozen, 030721 Oysters, live, fresh or chilled), as well as specialized processing equipment, such as drying machines, grinders, and pelletizers. Energy sources, packaging materials, and labor are also essential inputs for this industry.

The primary outputs of the 230120 industry are flours, meals, and pellets derived from fish, crustaceans, molluscs, and other aquatic invertebrates. These products are widely used as ingredients in 230990 Preparations of a kind used in animal feeding, as well as in some human food applications. The 230120 industry also produces byproducts, such as fish oil, which may be further processed and used in 150410 Fish-liver oils and their fractions, 150420 Fats and oils and their fractions, of fish, other than liver oils, and other related industries.