Jute and other textile bast fibres; raw or retted, but not spun, (excluding flax, hemp (cannabis sativa L.), and ramie)

HS code 530310 covers the raw or retted, but not spun, jute and other textile bast fibres, excluding flax, hemp, and ramie. These natural fibres are an important resource for the global textile and manufacturing industries, providing a renewable and biodegradable raw material for a wide range of products. The jute and bast fibre industry plays a significant role in the economies of several developing countries, where it supports the livelihoods of millions of farmers and workers.

The production of jute and other bast fibres under HS code 530310 involves several key steps. First, the plants are harvested and the fibres are extracted from the stems through a process called retting. Retting can be done using water, dew, or enzymatic methods to separate the fibres from the woody core of the plant. Once the fibres are extracted, they are typically dried, cleaned, and sorted by quality before being packaged and distributed to textile manufacturers and other end-users.

The main inputs required for the jute and bast fibre industry under HS code 530310 are the raw plant materials, primarily jute, kenaf, and other bast fibre crops. These plants are typically grown by small-scale farmers, often in developing countries with suitable climates. In addition to the raw materials, the industry also requires basic processing equipment for retting, drying, and cleaning the fibres, as well as transportation and storage infrastructure to move the products to market.

The primary outputs of the jute and bast fibre industry under HS code 530310 are the raw, retted fibres that are then consumed by a variety of downstream industries. These fibres are used to produce a wide range of textile products, including 520100 woven fabrics of jute or of other textile bast fibres, 630510 sacks and bags, for the packing of goods, and 570500 other textile floor coverings. The industry also produces by-products, such as jute sticks, which can be used for fuel or as a raw material for other applications.