Tobacco; partly or wholly stemmed or stripped

HS code 240120 covers tobacco that has been partially or fully stemmed or stripped. This industry is a crucial component of the global tobacco supply chain, providing raw materials for the manufacturing of various tobacco products. Tobacco is an important agricultural commodity, with significant economic and social implications in many countries around the world.

The production of tobacco under HS code 240120 involves several key steps. After harvesting, the tobacco leaves are cured, either through air-curing or flue-curing methods, to reduce the moisture content. The cured leaves are then sorted, graded, and stripped of their stems and midribs, a process known as stemming or stripping. This separation of the leaf from the stem is an essential step in preparing the tobacco for further processing and use in various tobacco products.

The main inputs required for the production of tobacco under HS code 240120 include the raw tobacco leaves, which are typically grown by specialized tobacco farmers. Additionally, the industry relies on various machinery and equipment for the curing, sorting, and stripping processes. Energy sources, such as fuel for curing barns, and labor for the manual handling and processing of the tobacco leaves are also significant inputs.

The primary output of the industry covered by HS code 240120 is partially or fully stemmed and stripped tobacco leaves. These processed tobacco leaves are then used as inputs for the manufacturing of 240310 Cigars, cheroots, cigarillos and cigarettes, of tobacco or of tobacco substitutes, 240391 Smoking tobacco, whether or not containing tobacco substitutes in any proportion, and other tobacco products. The industry's outputs are essential for the broader tobacco products manufacturing sector.