[MPWG] elderberry question

Tue Apr 10 16:20:27 CDT 2012

Hi Robin, Hi Jolie,

Exports of European elder (Sambucus nigra) fruit (and products made from it) originate mainly from the following countries (in alphabetical order): Albania, Austria, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Russian Federation, and the Ukraine.

Import / export trade data are tracked in governmental trade databases by use of harmonized system tariff codes (HS Codes). Many components, ingredients and products are traded with a “specific” HS Code but most are traded with a “general” HS Code (lumped together with many other “similar” products). Unfortunately, the latter is the case for elderberry. 

The Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS 2012), http://www.usitc.gov/publications/docs/tata/hts/bychapter/1201htsa.pdf, provides no “specific” HS Codes for any “elder” or “Sambucus” ingredients or products. Thus, it would be very difficult to determine a precise value and volume of elder fruit ingredient or product imports.

With that said, using the Customs Rulings Online Search System (CROSS) database of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (http://rulings.cbp.gov/index.asp), the general HS Code groupings that elderberry ingredients and preparations have been assigned to include the below listed. One would need to analyze the import trade data for each of these assigned (general) HS Codes and then estimate what portions of the total value and volume are represented by elderberry components (no small task). The task is even more complicated by the fact that many U.S. imports of elderberry occur as a component of composite pre-mixes, intermediates and/or finished products.

HS 1905.30.0049 – cookies containing elderberry juice concentrate

HS 2008.92.1040 – viscous or fluid dessert toppings containing elderberry juice as a component

HS 2008.99.0500 – fruit bars containing elderberry juice concentrate as a component

HS 2009.90.4000 – bulk juice concentrate containing elderberry juice concentrate as a component

HS 2101.20.9000 – liquid herbal tea drink mix syrup containing elderberry juice concentrate as a component

HS 2105.00.4000 – frozen dessert products contain elderberry juice as a component

HS 2106.90.6987 – herbal tea mixtures containing dried elderberries and/or elder flowers (mixed with other herbs and fruits)

HS 2106.90.9990 – elderberry jam (containing elderberry juice as a component)

HS 2106.90.9997 – pastry fillings contain elderberry juice as a component

HS 2106.90.9998 – elderberry juice or extract dietary supplement products (e.g. Sambucol®), whether dried (in tablets) or liquid (in syrups)

HS 2202.10.0040 – kefir products containing elderberry juice as a component

HS 2202.90.9090 - fruit smoothie mixes, fruit juice drinks, and fruit juice cocktails, containing elderberry juice as a component

HS 3203.00.8000 - highly concentrated elderberry juice products (e.g. Rubini® Liquid and Rubini® Powder), standardized to 2500 and 5000 color units respectively – for use in food and dietary supplement products

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: MoonBranch Botanicals 
  To: Jolie Lonner Egert ; 'Jeff McCormack' ; mpwg at lists.plantconservation.org ; Josef Brinckmann 
  Sent: Monday, April 09, 2012 4:55 PM
  Subject: Re: [MPWG] elderberry question

  Thanks for the introduction Jolie and "hello" Josef. Any U.S. elderberry import data would be most appreciated.

  Original question:
  Hello Everyone. I am working on an American Elderberry research project here in NC. Does anyone have any figures on the amount, either in terms of weight or value, of elderberry or elderberry products imported into the U.S. annually?

  Thanks again!
  Robin

    -----Original Message----- 
    From: Jolie Lonner Egert 
    Sent: Apr 9, 2012 3:42 PM 
    To: 'Jeff McCormack' , mpwg at lists.plantconservation.org, Josef Brinckmann 
    Subject: Re: [MPWG] elderberry question 

    I would contact Josef Brinkman  who puts together the Market News Service for Medicinal Plants & Extracts. I have copied him here. 

    Good luck

    Jolie 

    Jolie Lonner Egert

    Go Wild Consulting

    510-666-WILD (9453)

    Alt: 415-454-2251

    www.gowildconsulting.com

    From: mpwg-bounces at lists.plantconservation.org [mailto:mpwg-bounces at lists.plantconservation.org] On Behalf Of Jeff McCormack
    Sent: Monday, April 09, 2012 6:24 AM
    To: mpwg at lists.plantconservation.org
    Subject: Re: [MPWG] elderberry question

    Robin,

    You might want to contact the American Botanical Council for this information. They often have data of this sort for various herbal products:
    http://abc.herbalgram.org/site/PageServer

    Jeff McCormack
    ~~~
    Jeff McCormack, Ph.D.
    Charlottesville, VA 22911
    (434) 218-2408
    www.bushmedicine.org

    www.savingourseeds.org

    On Mon, Apr 9, 2012 at 8:26 AM, MoonBranch Botanicals <moonbranch at earthlink.net> wrote:

    Hello Everyone. I am working on an American Elderberry research project here in NC. Does anyone have any figures on the amount, either in terms of weight or value, of elderberry or elderberry products imported into the U.S. annually?

    Thanks in advance for any info you all may have,
    Robin

Robin Alton SuggsMoonBranch Botanicals5294 Yellow Creek RoadRobbinsville, North Carolina 28771 USA Telephone: 828.479.2788Email: moonbranch at earthlink.netWebsites:www.moonbranch.com  &  www.localharvest.org/store/M16074 Member:Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project; Farm PartnerGreen Products Alliance North Carolina Consortium on Natural Medicines North Carolina Goodness Grows/NCDA&CS Southwestern North Carolina RC&D CouncilUnited Plant Savers There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root. - Henry David Thoreau  

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Robin Alton Suggs
MoonBranch Botanicals
5294 Yellow Creek Road
Robbinsville, North Carolina 28771 
USA

Telephone: 828.479.2788
Email: moonbranch at earthlink.net
Websites:
www.moonbranch.com  &  www.localharvest.org/store/M16074

Member:
Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project; Farm Partner
Green Products Alliance 
North Carolina Consortium on Natural Medicines 
North Carolina Goodness Grows/NCDA&CS 
Southwestern North Carolina RC&D Council
United Plant Savers

There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root. - Henry David Thoreau

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