HS Code:
The 'Having a moisture content by weight over 50 percent' category typically refers to products such as fresh fruits, vegetables, and other perishable goods with high water content. These products fall under various HS codes depending on the specific item (e.g., HS 0803 for bananas, HS 0709 for other vegetables). Due to the high moisture content, these products are often subject to strict phytosanitary regulations, require refrigerated transport, and have a limited shelf life, impacting their trade logistics and costs. This category is critical in global food supply chains, especially for tropical and subtropical regions exporting to temperate zones.
Total Trade Volume
USD 50 billion
Data from 2022
Source
United Nations Comtrade Database & World Trade Organization (WTO)
USD 8 billion
16% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
USD 6 billion
12% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
USD 5 billion
10% of total trade of total trade
Stable
USD 4.5 billion
9% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
USD 4 billion
8% of total trade of total trade
Stable
Average Rate
5.2% ad valorem
Highest Rate
20% (applied by certain countries on specific fruits like bananas and mangoes for protecting domestic agriculture)
Lowest Rate
0% (under free trade agreements like EU-ACP or USMCA)
Rising demand for organic high-moisture content products
Increased certification requirements and higher prices for exporters; growth in niche markets
2021-2022
Adoption of cold chain logistics
Improved shelf life and reduced spoilage, enabling longer-distance exports but increasing costs
2020-2022
Climate change affecting production
Erratic weather patterns leading to supply shortages and price volatility in key exporting regions
2019-2022
The European Union introduced stricter import controls on high-moisture content products to prevent the spread of pests like the fruit fly, requiring additional documentation and inspections.
January 2023
Increased compliance costs for exporters from developing countries, potentially reducing trade volume to the EU market.
Under the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement, tariffs on certain high-moisture content agricultural products were reduced to 0% for member countries, boosting trade flows.
July 2022
Enhanced market access for Mexican exporters to the US and Canada, increasing competition for other suppliers.
Severe droughts in Central America affected banana production, a key high-moisture content product, leading to a 10% drop in export volumes from the region.
September 2022
Price increases for bananas globally and potential shifts to alternative suppliers in Asia and Africa.