Find HS Code and trade information for strawberry mold

Strawberry Mold

Strawberry molds refer to various types of fungi that can affect Fragaria species, commonly known as strawberries. These molds cause decay, rendering the fruit unmarketable and impacting yield. The specific type of mold present dictates the appearance and rate of decay.

Types of Strawberry Molds

Several fungal species are responsible for strawberry mold, categorized by when they infect the fruit:

• Gray Mold (Botrytis cinerea): This is the most common strawberry mold, responsible for a significant portion of pre- and post-harvest losses. It appears as a fuzzy, gray growth on the fruit, often starting at the calyx (green cap). It thrives in cool, moist conditions and can infect both healthy and damaged berries.
• Rhizopus Mold (Rhizopus stolonifer): Commonly known as soft rot, Rhizopus mold appears as a rapid, watery decay, often with visible gray, fuzzy spores. It spreads quickly and is frequently observed in warm, humid conditions, particularly during storage.
• Anthracnose (Colletotrichum fragariae): This mold causes small, sunken, dark lesions on the fruit, which can coalesce to form larger, irregular areas of decay. It's more prevalent during warm, wet weather and can affect both green and ripe berries.
• Cladosporium Mold (Cladosporium cucumerinum): This mold causes a dark, leathery rot, often appearing as irregular, brown spots on the fruit surface. It primarily affects mature, ripe berries and can develop during storage.

Purpose & Function (from the fungus' perspective)

The "purpose" of these molds is reproduction and dispersal. They utilize the strawberry as a nutrient source, growing and producing spores. These spores are then spread by wind, water, insects, or contaminated equipment to infect other strawberries.

Usage Scenarios (related to the mold's development)

• Pre-Harvest Infection: Mold can infect strawberries in the field due to rain splash, insect damage, or close proximity to infected plants.
• Post-Harvest Decay: Infection can occur during handling, packing, and storage, particularly if the fruit is bruised or damaged.
• Storage Conditions: Warm, humid environments promote mold growth, while cool, dry conditions inhibit it.
• Transportation: Damage during transportation provides entry points for mold spores.

Impact & Control

• Economic Loss: Strawberry molds significantly reduce yield and marketability, resulting in substantial economic losses for growers.
• Preventative Measures:
  • Good Air Circulation: Promotes drying and reduces humidity.
  • Proper Sanitation: Removing infected fruit and debris minimizes spore spread.
  • Careful Handling: Avoiding bruising and damage reduces entry points for infection.
  • Fungicides: Application of appropriate fungicides can help control mold development (following label instructions).
  • Resistant Varieties: Utilizing strawberry varieties with increased resistance to common molds.
• Refrigeration: Slows down mold growth.

Strawberry molds fall under several potential classifications based on material and intended use, as detailed below.

• 8480799010: This HS code covers molding boxes for metal foundry; mold bases; molding patterns; molds for metal (other than ingot molds), metal carbides, glass, mineral materials, rubber or plastics: Molds for rubber or plastics: Other types: Other Blow molds. This could apply if the strawberry mold is specifically designed for creating shapes using rubber or plastics via a blow molding process. The total tax rate is 58.1% (3.1% base tariff, 25.0% additional tariff, and 30% additional tariff after April 2, 2025).

• 8480799090: This HS code covers molding boxes for metal foundry; mold bases; molding patterns; molds for metal (other than ingot molds), metal carbides, glass, mineral materials, rubber or plastics: Molds for rubber or plastics: Other types: Other Other molds. This is a broader classification for molds used with rubber or plastics, applicable if the strawberry mold doesn’t fit the specific “blow mold” category. The total tax rate is 58.1% (3.1% base tariff, 25.0% additional tariff, and 30% additional tariff after April 2, 2025).

• 3926904000: This HS code covers other articles of plastics and articles of other materials of headings 3901 to 3914: Other: Imitation gemstones. If the strawberry mold is designed to create strawberry-shaped items that resemble gemstones, this code may be applicable. The total tax rate is 32.8% (2.8% base tariff and 30% additional tariff after April 2, 2025).

• 3926909910: This HS code covers other articles of plastics and articles of other materials of headings 3901 to 3914: Other: Other Laboratory ware. If the strawberry mold is used in a laboratory setting for creating strawberry-shaped items, this code may be applicable. The total tax rate is 42.8% (5.3% base tariff, 7.5% additional tariff, and 30% additional tariff after April 2, 2025).

According to the provided reference material, the HS code options related to 'strawberry mold' are limited, with only the following 4 found.