HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 1209.10 – Seed; sugar beet seeds, of a kind used for sowing
HS code 1209.10 is the 6-digit subheading for seed, sugar beet seeds, of a kind used for sowing. It is used for hybrid sugar beet seeds, genetically modified sugar beet seeds, organic sugar beet seeds, disease-resistant sugar beet seeds and high-yield sugar beet seeds.
What HS 1209.10 covers
Sugar beet seeds, specifically those intended for sowing, are a critical agricultural input traded internationally, forming the foundation of the global sugar beet industry. These seeds are highly specialized, often genetically modified or hybrid varieties, developed for specific traits like disease resistance, yield optimization, and sugar content. The trade is dominated by a few large seed companies that invest heavily in research and development. Importers are typically sugar beet farmers or agricultural cooperatives in regions where sugar beet is a primary crop for sugar production. Exporters are usually countries with advanced agricultural biotechnology sectors. Key things to know include the importance of certified seeds for quality assurance, the specific genetic traits (e.g., herbicide tolerance), and the impact of climate and soil conditions on seed performance. The market is influenced by global sugar prices, agricultural policies, and technological advancements in seed breeding. Unlike many other agricultural commodities, the EUDR tag is not directly applicable here as it's a seed for sowing, not a commodity derived from a deforestation-risk crop for consumption or processing.
- Covers
- Hybrid sugar beet seeds
- Genetically modified sugar beet seeds
- Organic sugar beet seeds
- Disease-resistant sugar beet seeds
- High-yield sugar beet seeds
- Pelleted sugar beet seeds
- Examples
- KWS Sugar Beet Seeds
- SESVanderHave Sugar Beet Seeds
- Betaseed Sugar Beet Seeds
- Syngenta Sugar Beet Seeds
Codes often confused with 1209.10
Common mistake. This code can be confused with 121291 (sugar beet, fresh or chilled) if not clearly identified as "seeds for sowing," or with other vegetable seeds under 120991 if the specific type is not specified.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 120910, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 120910 in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 52% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was France, with 17% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Germany $590M 52% of world exports
- 2 Belgium $190M 17% of world exports
- 3 France $142M 12% of world exports
World total: $1.1B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 France $198M 17% of world imports
- 2 Germany $177M 15% of world imports
- 3 Russia* ~$149M 13% of world imports · partner records ↗
World total: $1.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
How these figures are built
109 countries reported 2025 trade to UN Comtrade in HS 2022, and their own totals are used. Countries marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. Those estimates miss trade with other non-reporting countries, so they can be low, and a non-reporting country can rank higher than shown or be missing from the list. World totals add both and leave out trade between two non-reporting countries. Figures are in current US dollars; reported imports are mostly valued CIF and exports FOB, and exports include re-exports. The UN Comtrade links show the underlying records; they can also list a few reporters left out here (regional groups and older HS editions).
Source: UN Comtrade (United Nations Statistics Division), 2025 annual data.
Brazil NCM code for 1209.10
Brazil does not split HS 1209.10: its NCM code is 1209.10.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 12.09 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 1209.10
What is HS code 120910?
HS code 120910 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Seed; sugar beet seeds, of a kind used for sowing. Sugar beet seeds, specifically those intended for sowing, are a critical agricultural input traded internationally, forming the foundation of the global sugar beet industry. These seeds are highly specialized, often genetically modified or hybrid varieties, developed for specific traits like disease resistance, yield optimization, and sugar content. The trade is dominated by a few large seed companies that invest heavily in research and development. Importers are typically sugar beet farmers or agricultural cooperatives in regions where sugar beet is a primary crop for sugar production. Exporters are usually countries with advanced agricultural biotechnology sectors. Key things to know include the importance of certified seeds for quality assurance, the specific genetic traits (e.g., herbicide tolerance), and the impact of climate and soil conditions on seed performance. The market is influenced by global sugar prices, agricultural policies, and technological advancements in seed breeding. Unlike many other agricultural commodities, the EUDR tag is not directly applicable here as it's a seed for sowing, not a commodity derived from a deforestation-risk crop for consumption or processing.
What products fall under HS code 120910?
Hybrid sugar beet seeds, Genetically modified sugar beet seeds, Organic sugar beet seeds, Disease-resistant sugar beet seeds, High-yield sugar beet seeds, Pelleted sugar beet seeds
What are common misclassifications for HS code 120910?
This code can be confused with 121291 (sugar beet, fresh or chilled) if not clearly identified as "seeds for sowing," or with other vegetable seeds under 120991 if the specific type is not specified.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 120910?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 120910 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($590M, 52% of world exports), Belgium ($190M) and France ($142M). World exports came to about $1.1B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 120910?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 120910 in UN Comtrade data were France ($198M, 17% of world imports), Germany ($177M) and Russia (about $149M). World imports came to about $1.2B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
How is HS code 120910 structured?
HS code 120910 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (12) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (09) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (10) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 120910?
In Brazil, HS code 120910 is NCM 1209.10.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.