HS Code:
The 'Of a kind used for sowing' category, typically classified under HS Code 1209, encompasses seeds, spores, and fruits used for sowing purposes. This includes seeds for agricultural crops, vegetables, flowers, and other plants intended for cultivation. This category is critical to global agriculture as it forms the foundation of food production and horticulture. Trade in this category is influenced by factors such as climatic conditions, agricultural policies, and biotechnological advancements.
Total Trade Volume
USD 12.5 billion
Data from 2022
Source
United Nations Comtrade Database
Average Rate
5.3%
Highest Rate
15% (applied by certain developing countries to protect local agriculture)
Lowest Rate
0% (under free trade agreements like EU internal market or USMCA)
Rising demand for organic and non-GMO seeds
Increased market share for organic seed exporters; higher prices for certified organic seeds
2021-2022
Adoption of climate-resilient seed varieties
Shift in trade patterns towards countries producing drought-resistant and heat-tolerant seeds
2020-2022
Digitalization of seed trade
Growth in e-commerce platforms for seed distribution, reducing trade barriers for small-scale farmers
2022
The European Union introduced stricter phytosanitary requirements for seed imports to prevent the spread of plant diseases, affecting exporters from non-EU countries.
March 2023
Increased compliance costs for exporters; potential delays in seed shipments to EU markets
A bilateral agreement eased restrictions on seed exports from the US to China, including tariff reductions on certain sowing seed categories.
January 2023
Boost in US seed exports to China, strengthening market access for American producers
A major seed company in the Netherlands announced a new hybrid vegetable seed variety with higher yield potential, gaining significant international interest.
June 2023
Increased export volumes for the Netherlands; potential shift in global seed market dynamics