HS Code:
Subheading 0403.90.16 of the Harmonized System (HS) Code refers to 'Buttermilk, curdled milk and cream, kephir and other fermented or acidified milk and cream, whether or not concentrated or containing added sugar or other sweetening matter or flavored or containing added fruit, nuts or cocoa, not elsewhere specified or included.' This category primarily includes specialty dairy products like buttermilk and fermented milk products that do not fall under more specific classifications. These products are widely used in food processing, culinary applications, and as standalone consumer goods.
Total Trade Volume
USD 150 million
Data from 2022
Source
United Nations Comtrade Database
Average Rate
6.5%
Highest Rate
12% (applied by certain developing countries to protect local dairy industries)
Lowest Rate
0% (under free trade agreements such as EU-USMCA)
Rising demand for probiotic and fermented dairy products
Increased exports from major dairy-producing countries as consumers prioritize health-focused products like kephir and buttermilk
2021-2022
Shift toward plant-based alternatives
Moderate decline in traditional buttermilk trade in some regions due to competition from non-dairy substitutes
2020-2022
Sustainability concerns in dairy production
Growing preference for products from sustainable and organic sources, influencing trade patterns toward certified producers
2022
The European Union signed a trade agreement with several Asian countries to reduce tariffs on fermented dairy products, including those under HS 0403.90.16, to boost exports.
March 2023
Expected to increase trade volume by 15% for EU exporters like Germany and France over the next two years.
The United States imposed stricter sanitary regulations on imported fermented dairy products to protect domestic producers, impacting trade flows from Europe.
January 2023
Potential reduction in US imports by 10% for this category, affecting exporters like the Netherlands.
Major dairy companies in Denmark and France introduced new flavored and fortified buttermilk products, targeting health-conscious consumers globally.
June 2022
Likely to drive export growth in niche markets, particularly in North America and Asia.