Swedes, mangolds, fodder roots, hay, lucerne (alfalfa), clover, sainfoin, forage kale, lupines, vetches and similar forage products, whether or not in the form of pellets (heading 1214): importing markets
HS heading 1214 covers forage products such as swedes, mangolds, hay, lucerne (alfalfa), clover and similar, including pellets. In 2025, Japan, China,…
Published on 4 November 2026Updated on 4 November 2026
HS heading 1214 covers forage products such as swedes, mangolds, hay, lucerne (alfalfa), clover and similar, including pellets. In 2025, Japan, China, South Korea and Saudi Arabia were the four largest importers by declared value, each above USD 400 million. For a company exporting from Spain, the market choice sets the duty, the plant health paperwork and the buyer profile.
Source: UN ComtradeData for 2025Verified on 4 November 2026
Fact sheet
- Code
- 1214
- Chapter
- 12 · Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits; miscellaneous grains, seeds and fruit, industrial or medicinal plants; straw and fodder
- Subheadings
- 2
Main importing markets
USD · 2025| Country | Imports (USD) |
|---|---|
| Japan | 669,163,167 |
| China | 485,329,371 |
| South Korea | 413,540,651 |
| Saudi Arabia | 408,510,783 |
| United States | 121,313,191 |
| Netherlands | 61,497,765 |
| Germany | 56,945,014 |
| Switzerland | 49,042,770 |
| Belgium | 35,962,548 |
| Kuwait | 30,710,536 |
| France | 26,057,098 |
| United Kingdom | 23,483,901 |
| Qatar | 22,614,682 |
| Canada | 21,741,407 |
| Morocco | 18,273,849 |
Imports declared by each country from the world. Countries report with a delay: the period is the latest with consolidated data.
Source: UN ComtradeData for 2025Verified on 4 November 2026
What to know before exporting forage products under HS 1214
HS 1214 is a heading of Chapter 12 of the Harmonized System. It groups forage crops and similar products used as animal feed, whether presented loose, baled or in pellets. The heading has two subheadings, so the exact six-digit code depends on the product you ship.
The import table on this page shows demand concentrated in a few markets. Japan, China, South Korea and Saudi Arabia lead by declared value in 2025. Those are the figures each country reports as imported from the world, not purchases from Spain, so they measure market size and not your own opportunity.
Countries report with a delay. The period shown is the latest with consolidated data, and it can be revised. Before sizing a market, compare two or three consecutive years in UN Comtrade or ITC Trade Map to see whether the 2025 figure is a trend or a one-off.
The duty depends on the subpartida, the destination and the agreement in force between the EU and that country. For a company exporting from Spain, the place to check it is Access2Markets, entering the product code and the destination. Do the check for each market separately, because the conditions differ.
Forage products are plant material, so plant health rules usually apply at the border. Which certificates or inspections a destination requires is set by its own authorities and can change. Ask the importer for the current requirements and confirm them with the competent authority before quoting a delivery date.
Classification matters more than it seems. A pelleted product, a dried one and a fresh root can fall under different codes, with different duties. Confirm the code with your customs agent and check it against the TARIC database before issuing the first invoice.
Frequently asked questions
What products does HS 1214 include?
HS 1214 includes swedes, mangolds, fodder roots, hay, lucerne (alfalfa), clover, sainfoin, forage kale, lupines, vetches and similar forage products, whether or not in the form of pellets. It sits in Chapter 12 and has two subheadings.
Which countries import the most under HS 1214?
In 2025, according to UN Comtrade, the largest importers by declared value were Japan, China, South Korea and Saudi Arabia, each above USD 400 million. The United States came fifth, at about USD 121 million. These are total imports from the world, not purchases from Spain.
How do I find the import duty for HS 1214 from Spain?
The duty depends on the subpartida, the destination country and any trade agreement between it and the EU. Enter the product code and the destination in Access2Markets, which shows the applicable duty and the rules of origin for an exporter in the EU.
Do I need a plant health certificate to export forage products?
It depends on the destination. Forage is plant material and many importing countries require phytosanitary documentation, but each sets its own conditions. Ask your importer for the current requirements and confirm them with the plant health authority that issues your export certificate.
Is the 2025 import data final?
Not necessarily. Each country reports to UN Comtrade with a delay, and figures can be revised. The table uses the latest period with consolidated data, so check the previous years before basing a market decision on a single one.
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