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

HS code 120242 covers the import and export of ground-nuts, also known as peanuts, that have been shelled but not roasted or otherwise cooked. This is a significant commodity in the global agricultural trade, with ground-nuts being a versatile and nutritious food product used in a wide range of applications, from snack foods to cooking oils. The ground-nut industry plays an important role in the economies of many countries, particularly those with favorable climates for its cultivation.

The production of ground-nuts covered under HS code 120242 typically involves several key steps. First, the ground-nut plants are grown and harvested, with the pods being separated from the plants. The pods are then dried and the nuts are removed from the shells, either manually or using specialized machinery. The shelled nuts are then sorted, graded, and packaged for distribution and sale.

The main inputs required for the ground-nut industry under HS code 120242 include arable land suitable for cultivation, as well as agricultural equipment and machinery for planting, harvesting, and processing the nuts. Additionally, labor, water, and various agricultural inputs such as fertilizers and pesticides are necessary for the successful cultivation and processing of the ground-nuts.

The primary output of the industry covered by HS code 120242 is shelled, unroasted ground-nuts. These nuts can be used in a variety of food products, such as 200811 Peanut butter, 150810 Peanut oil, and various snack foods. The ground-nuts may also be further processed or used as an ingredient in other 200819 Nuts, nes, prepared or preserved, 210690 Food preparations, nes, and 230650 Oilcake and other solid residues, of ground-nuts.