Beverages, spirits and vinegar

HS code 22 covers a diverse range of beverages, spirits, and vinegar products that are essential components of the global food and drink industry. This industry plays a vital role in the economy, providing employment, generating tax revenue, and meeting the growing consumer demand for a wide variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. The products within this code range from basic water and soft drinks to high-value spirits, wines, and specialty vinegars, catering to diverse consumer preferences and cultural traditions around the world.

The production techniques used in the beverages, spirits, and vinegar industry vary widely depending on the specific product. In general, the key steps involve the fermentation, distillation, and/or blending of various raw materials, such as grapes, grains, fruits, and other plant-based ingredients. For example, wine production typically involves the fermentation of grape juice, while spirits like whiskey or vodka are produced through the distillation of fermented grain mashes. Vinegar, on the other hand, is made by the acetic acid fermentation of alcoholic liquids, such as wine or cider.

The main inputs required for the beverages, spirits, and vinegar industry include a variety of agricultural raw materials, such as 10 Cereals, 08 Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons, and 06 Live trees and other plants; bulbs, roots and the like; cut flowers and ornamental foliage. Additionally, the industry relies on specialized production equipment, such as fermentation tanks, distillation columns, and bottling lines, as well as various additives, preservatives, and packaging materials.

The outputs of the beverages, spirits, and vinegar industry are diverse and include a wide range of products, such as 2201 Waters, including natural or artificial mineral waters and aerated waters, not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter nor flavoured, 2202 Waters, including mineral waters and aerated waters, containing added sugar or other sweetening matter or flavoured, and other non-alcoholic beverages, not including fruit or vegetable juices of heading 2009, 2203 Beer made from malt, 2204 Wine of fresh grapes, including fortified wines; grape must other than that of heading 2009, 2205 Vermouth and other wine of fresh grapes flavoured with plants or aromatic substances, 2206 (Other fermented beverages (for example, cider, perry, mead); mixtures of fermented beverages and mixtures of fermented beverages and non-alcoholic beverages, not elsewhere specified or included), 2207 Undenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength by volume of 80% vol. or higher; ethyl alcohol and other spirits, denatured, of any strength, 2208 Undenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength by volume of less than 80% vol.; spirits, liqueurs and other spirituous beverages, and 2209 Vinegar and substitutes for vinegar obtained from acetic acid.