Bulk, Intermediate, and Consumer-Oriented (BICO) goods are the primary classification for agricultural commodities. To better understand trends in agricultural trade, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) organizes thousands of Harmonized Tariff System codes related to agriculture into BICO groupings based on the level of processing and typical end-use. The BICO grouping divides these into three classes: “Bulk,” “Intermediate,” and “Consumer-Oriented.” Another FAS grouping, “agricultural-related,” is used for commodities outside the World Trade Organization definition of agriculture but that are important in the context of USDA stakeholders and programs.
Using the BICO system helps explain trade flows and trends. For instance, the United States is a net exporter of bulk commodities, including corn and soybeans. In 2024, the United States exported $56.4 billion of bulk products worldwide but imported $16.0 billion (mostly unroasted coffee and raw beet/cane sugar). Policymakers and industry stakeholders also use BICO to formulate trade policies, develop strategies, administer market development programs, and negotiate with trading partners.
