Hop cones; neither ground nor powdered nor in the form of pellets

HS code 121010 covers the trade of hop cones, a crucial ingredient in the production of beer and other fermented beverages. Hops are an essential crop for the global brewing industry, providing the characteristic bitterness, aroma, and preservative qualities that define many popular beer styles. As a major agricultural commodity, the trade of unprocessed hop cones plays a significant role in the broader food and beverage supply chain.

Hop cones are harvested from the female hop plant, Humulus lupulus, typically between August and October. After harvesting, the cones are dried to reduce moisture content, then packaged and distributed for further processing or direct use by brewers. Drying techniques may involve air-drying, forced-air drying, or kiln-drying to ensure the cones meet quality standards for color, aroma, and alpha acid content.

The primary inputs for the hop cone industry are the hop plants themselves, which require specific climatic conditions and agricultural practices to thrive. Growers also rely on machinery for harvesting, drying, and packaging the cones, as well as transportation infrastructure to deliver the product to market. Additional inputs may include energy, labor, and packaging materials.

The primary output of HS code 121010 is unprocessed hop cones, which are then consumed by 220300 Beer made from malt, 220600 Other fermented beverages, and 121020 Hop cones, ground, powdered or in the form of pellets. Hop cones may also be further processed into hop extracts, oils, and other derivatives used in the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical industries.