Argentina Beef Carcasses Export Market -- HS Code 020130 Trade Data & Price Trend (May 2025)

Argentina Beef Carcasses Export (HS 020130) Key Takeaways

Argentina's beef carcasses exports under HS Code 020130 in May 2025 saw a sharp decline, hitting $107.93M—the lowest monthly value of the year. The market is segmented, with high-grade boneless cuts like 02013000831 commanding premium prices (13.28 USD/kg), while bulk buyers like Chile trade lower-grade variants. The Netherlands and Germany dominate as top destinations, with Germany favoring higher-value cuts. This analysis covers May 2025 and is based on cleanly processed customs data from the yTrade database.

Argentina Beef Carcasses Export (HS 020130) Background

What is HS Code 020130?

HS Code 020130 covers bovine carcasses and half-carcasses, fresh or chilled, a critical commodity in global meat trade. These products are primarily used by food processors, retailers, and hospitality industries, driving steady demand due to their versatility in culinary applications. The stability of global meat consumption ensures consistent trade flows for this category.

Current Context and Strategic Position

Recent updates highlight the relevance of HS Code 020130, with Germany and France issuing warnings about its use in export declarations [tariffnumber.com]. Argentina's beef carcasses export sector remains strategically significant, leveraging its robust livestock industry to meet international demand. As a key supplier, Argentina’s trade performance under this HS code warrants close monitoring, especially given evolving regulatory landscapes. Tracking hs code 020130 trade data is essential to assess Argentina’s competitive position in the global meat market.

Argentina Beef Carcasses Export (HS 020130) Price Trend

Key Observations

Argentina's beef carcass exports for May 2025 showed a steep decline, with total export value falling to $107.93 million USD. This represents a significant contraction from the previous month's performance and marks the lowest monthly value recorded in the year to date.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The Argentina Beef Carcasses Export trend exhibited notable volatility throughout early 2025. After a strong start in January ($395.43M), export values declined sequentially through February and March before a modest recovery in April ($346.14M). The sharp drop in May suggests potential supply chain disruptions or sudden shifts in international demand dynamics. This pattern aligns with typical agricultural export challenges, including logistical constraints and competitive global market pressures. The hs code 020130 value trend reflects these broader industry movements, indicating that Argentina's beef sector experienced fluctuating trade conditions during this period.

Argentina Beef Carcasses Export (HS 020130) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

In May 2025, Argentina's export of beef carcasses under HS Code 020130 is dominated by high-value boneless cuts, with the sub-code 02013000831 leading at a 19.69% share of total export value. According to yTrade data, this variant commands a unit price of approximately 13.28 USD per kilogram, indicating a focus on premium segments. The market shows no extreme price anomalies, with all sub-codes falling within a reasonable range.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The remaining sub-codes can be grouped into three categories based on unit price: high-grade cuts (above 12 USD/kg, including codes like 02013000836 at 16.69 USD/kg), medium-grade cuts (8-12 USD/kg), and lower-grade cuts (around 7 USD/kg). This structure suggests a trade in differentiated products rather than fungible bulk commodities, with variations likely tied to specific cut qualities and consumer preferences. Analysis of HS Code 020130 trade data reveals a segmented market where grade dictates value.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

For market players, higher unit price segments offer greater pricing power and potential for premium positioning. Exporters should focus on producing and marketing high-grade cuts to maximize returns. Argentina's export strategy under HS Code 020130 should emphasize quality differentiation to maintain competitive advantage in international markets.

Check Detailed HS Code 020130 Breakdown

Argentina Beef Carcasses Export (HS 020130) Destination Countries

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

In May 2025, Argentina's exports of Beef Carcasses were led by the Netherlands, which accounted for 24.16% of the total export value. Germany followed closely with a 22.88% value share, while Israel and Chile held significant portions at 20.87% and 15.78%, respectively. Comparing value and quantity shares reveals key patterns: Germany's value share exceeds its quantity share (22.88% vs. 20.10%), indicating a preference for higher-grade or finished beef products. In contrast, Chile's quantity share is higher than its value share (21.98% vs. 15.78%), suggesting bulk trade of raw or lower-end variants. Chile also shows a high frequency share of 27.47%, pointing to frequent, possibly smaller shipments typical for fresh meat supply chains.

Destination Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The top destinations for Argentina's Beef Carcasses exports can be grouped into two clusters based on trade profiles. The Volume/Hub Cluster includes Chile, the Netherlands, and Israel, where high quantity shares dominate, likely due to their roles as processing hubs or centers for bulk consumption in regional markets. The High-Yield Cluster consists of Germany, the United States, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Brazil, and the United Kingdom, where value shares exceed quantity shares, reflecting demand for premium, high-margin beef products. This split arises because beef carcasses are often traded in bulk for further processing, while certain markets pay more for quality cuts.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

To enhance Argentina's Beef Carcasses export performance, focus should be on capturing higher margins in High-Yield Cluster markets like Germany by promoting premium product lines. Simultaneously, logistics can be optimized for Volume/Hub buyers like Chile to reduce costs and ensure efficient bulk shipments. The news about HS Code 02013000 from Tariffnumber.com, discussing regulatory aspects for bovine meat exports [Tariffnumber.com], may support attention to compliance in key markets, though it does not directly explain share shifts in May 2025. Strengthening supply chains for frequent, fresh deliveries to high-frequency partners could also secure stable trade flows.

Table: Argentina Beef Carcasses (HS 020130) Top Destination Countries (Source: yTrade)

Get Complete Destination Countries Profile

Action Plan for Beef Carcasses Market Operation and Expansion

• Target Germany and other High-Yield Cluster markets with premium boneless cuts to capture higher margins, as hs code 020130 trade data shows these buyers pay more for quality, directly boosting profitability for the Argentina Beef Carcasses Export.
• Optimize logistics for high-frequency, bulk shipments to Volume/Hub buyers like Chile to reduce per-unit costs and ensure freshness, strengthening reliability across the Beef Carcasses supply chain.
• Differentiate export offerings by cut grade and price segment, using hs code 020130 trade data to align production with premium demand, maximizing returns from Argentina's Beef Carcasses Export.
• Monitor regulatory updates in key markets like the EU to maintain compliance and avoid disruptions, ensuring seamless access for high-value Argentina Beef Carcasses Export shipments.
• Leverage trade frequency and volume data to forecast demand cycles and plan inventory, preventing overstock or shortages and stabilizing the Beef Carcasses supply chain.

Take Action Now —— Explore Argentina Beef Carcasses Export Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Argentina Beef Carcasses Export 2025 May?

Argentina's beef carcass exports dropped sharply to $107.93 million in May 2025, the lowest monthly value of the year, likely due to supply chain disruptions or sudden demand shifts.

Q2. Who are the main destination countries of Argentina Beef Carcasses (HS Code 020130) 2025 May?

The Netherlands (24.16%), Germany (22.88%), and Israel (20.87%) were the top destinations, accounting for most of Argentina's beef carcass export value.

Q3. Why does the unit price differ across destination countries of Argentina Beef Carcasses Export?

Price differences stem from product segmentation—high-grade cuts (e.g., 02013000836 at 16.69 USD/kg) command premiums in markets like Germany, while bulk shipments to Chile trade at lower prices.

Q4. What should exporters in Argentina focus on in the current Beef Carcasses export market?

Exporters should prioritize high-grade cuts for premium markets (e.g., Germany) and optimize logistics for bulk buyers (e.g., Chile) to balance margins and volume.

Q5. What does this Argentina Beef Carcasses export pattern mean for buyers in partner countries?

Buyers in High-Yield Cluster markets (e.g., Germany) can expect premium-quality cuts, while Volume/Hub buyers (e.g., Chile) receive cost-efficient bulk shipments for processing.

Q6. How is Beef Carcasses typically used in this trade flow?

Beef carcasses are traded either as premium cuts for direct consumption or bulk shipments for further processing in destination markets.