U.S. imports of Fresh or Chilled Witloof Chicory (HS 070521) totaled $136K in August 2026, imported from 6 countries.
Importers of Fresh or Chilled Witloof Chicory paid $13K in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 9.45% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Fresh or Chilled Witloof Chicory imports of $136K in August 2026 ran 18% below the year-to-date monthly average of $164K.
Last updated: August 2026 dataWitloof chicory — the pale, tightly furled Belgian endive grown by forcing blanched chicons from chicory roots — is classified separately from all other chicory varieties under a single 10-digit line (0705210000), reflecting its distinct production method and culinary identity. Guatemala leads US imports of this specialty vegetable, followed by Belgium and the Netherlands, the traditional European centers of witloof forcing. Cold-chain integrity is critical given the product's sensitivity to light exposure, which causes greening and bitterness. FDA admissibility review applies at the port of entry for fresh produce.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
31 import shipments a month
Witloof chicory (Belgian endive) is produced by a two-stage forcing process that blanches the chicon in darkness, yielding a compact, pale head. This specific variety and production method place it under heading 070521, separate from radicchio, curly endive, and other chicory types classified under 070529. If a shipment contains mixed chicory types, each variety must be assessed individually.
Guatemala's cool highland climate allows year-round production of witloof chicory at competitive cost, making it a primary off-season alternative to European sources. Belgium and the Netherlands remain significant suppliers given their long expertise in the forcing technique, but proximity and lower freight costs give Guatemalan growers an advantage for much of the US market calendar.
ImportsExports
Imports
$136KYoY · free account
Exports
$17KYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $2.1M of Fresh or Chilled Witloof Chicory and exported $298K.
Fewer than 6 of the last 12 months reported trade, or the latest month was under $500K; the trend chart is not shown for thin series.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Subheading 3 of 4 in heading 0705
Subheading 070521 · $136K of $22.9M
Trade Directory
List your company under HS 070521 — Fresh or Chilled Witloof Chicory, so the companies trading it can find you. Be the first supplier listed.
HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Imports for consumption | Average duty rate | Dutiable Share | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0705210000 | Witloof Chicory, Fresh or Chilled | $136K | 9.45% | 94.53% | $13K |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 0705210000 | Witloof Chicory, Fresh or Chilled | $17K |
Import lines come from the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule and export lines from Schedule B. The two are numbered by different agencies, so the same 10-digit code can appear in both tables describing a different product.
Imports · August 2026
origin
Guatemala and Belgium together supply 85% of it. Netherlands pays 10.0% duty; Canada 0.0%.
customs district
destination
entry
rate provision · imports
5.5% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 9.45% of imports for consumption.