Argentina Carbonates Export Market -- HS Code 2836 Trade Data & Price Trend (Jan 2025)

Argentina Carbonates Export (HS 2836) Key Takeaways

Argentina’s carbonates export under HS Code 2836 in January 2025 was dominated by high-value lithium carbonate, accounting for 99.94% of trade value, while other carbonates served bulk industrial uses. The market showed stability with $171.21 million in exports, driven by consistent demand from high-volume buyers, particularly in China, which captured 77.80% of trade value. Buyer concentration in high-value, high-frequency transactions highlights reliance on a narrow segment, posing potential risk. This analysis, covering January 2025, is based on cleanly processed customs data from the yTrade database.

Argentina Carbonates Export (HS 2836) Background

What is HS Code 2836?

HS Code 2836 covers carbonates; peroxocarbonates (percarbonates); and commercial ammonium carbonate containing ammonium carbamate. These chemicals are widely used in industries such as agriculture (as fertilizers), food processing (as leavening agents), and pharmaceuticals. Global demand remains stable due to their essential role in industrial and agricultural applications.

Current Context and Strategic Position

Argentina's export policies saw significant revisions in 2025, including permanent reductions in agricultural export taxes and a temporary zero-percent duty on certain goods until October 31, 2025 [KPMG]. While these changes primarily target agricultural products, Argentina's Carbonates Export under HS Code 2836 remains subject to standard Mercosur-aligned tariff codes, requiring strict compliance to avoid delays [FreightAmigo]. Argentina’s trade data for January-September 2025 shows a 7.5% increase in overall exports, though HS Code 2836 trade data is not specifically highlighted [Argentine Ministry of Foreign Affairs]. Given the country’s role as a key regional supplier, market participants should monitor policy shifts and competitive dynamics closely.

Argentina Carbonates Export (HS 2836) Price Trend

Key Observations

Argentina's carbonates exports under HS code 2836 opened 2025 with a robust performance in January, recording an export value of $171.21 million and a volume of 10.48 million units. This strong start highlights the sector's initial momentum for the year, aligning with typical baseline activity for chemical exports.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The January figures set a solid foundation, suggesting stability in the Argentina Carbonates Export trend early in the year. With no prior monthly data for direct comparison, the performance reflects consistent demand patterns common in chemical industries, where exports often maintain steady flows due to industrial and agricultural applications. The hs code 2836 value trend indicates no immediate volatility, pointing to balanced supply-chain operations.

External Context and Outlook

In the absence of specific policy shifts affecting January, the market likely responded to broader economic conditions, such as Argentina's export-friendly environment and global demand for industrial chemicals. Factors like currency exchange rates and international trade dynamics could influence future trajectories, maintaining a watchful outlook for any regulatory changes or macroeconomic shifts.

Argentina Carbonates Export (HS 2836) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

In January 2025, Argentina's export under HS Code 2836 is overwhelmingly concentrated in a single high-value product. According to yTrade data, lithium carbonate (sub-code 28369100000) dominates with a 99.94% value share, driven by a unit price of 16.62 USD per kilogram, which is vastly higher than other carbonates. This specialization highlights a focus on premium, battery-grade materials, with no significant anomalies distorting the analysis.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The remaining exports under Argentina's HS Code 2836 trade data fall into two clear categories based on value and use. Calcium carbonate, with a low unit price of 0.53 USD/kg, represents a bulk commodity used in industrial applications like construction or fillers. In contrast, potassium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate, priced around 4-5 USD/kg, are intermediate chemicals likely for specialized industrial or food-grade uses. This structure shows a split between fungible bulk goods and slightly differentiated products, but overall, the trade leans toward commodity-style exports outside the lithium niche.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

Argentina's export strategy for HS Code 2836 grants strong pricing power in lithium carbonate due to its high value and market dominance. For other carbonates, where unit prices are lower and competition is higher, focus should be on cost leadership or targeting specific industrial niches. Analyzing HS Code 2836 exports from Argentina reveals that leveraging the lithium specialty is key, while diversifying into higher-value grades could mitigate reliance on bulk commodities.

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Argentina Carbonates Export (HS 2836) Destination Countries

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

China Mainland is the dominant destination for Argentina's Carbonates exports in January 2025, holding 77.80% of the value share and 76.24% of the weight share. The value share slightly exceeds the weight share, suggesting that shipments to China may involve higher-grade or finished versions of Carbonates, such as purified commercial ammonium carbonate. Frequency is also high at 45.63%, indicating consistent, large-volume trade rather than fragmented small orders. The United States follows with a value share of 10.08% and weight share of 7.94%, showing a similar pattern of premium product demand.

Destination Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The top destinations can be grouped into two clusters based on trade patterns. First, the Volume/Hub Cluster includes China and the United States, which together account for the bulk of weight and value, reflecting their role as major bulk markets for industrial Carbonates consumption. Second, the Transactional Cluster features Chile and Paraguay, with frequency shares of 6.88% and 5.00% respectively but minimal value and weight shares (e.g., Chile value 0.05%, weight 1.47%). This indicates small, frequent shipments, likely for regional distribution or specialized uses in local industries. South Korea and Japan show balanced shares, acting as stable secondary markets.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

To enhance Argentina's Carbonates export performance, prioritize strengthening relationships with high-volume buyers in China and the United States, where demand for premium products offers better margins. For transactional markets like Chile and Paraguay, streamline supply chains to handle frequent, small orders efficiently, reducing logistics costs. While general export duty changes occurred in 2025, no specific policies affected HS Code 2836 in January, so continue monitoring for shifts that could impact these trade flows.

Table: Argentina Carbonates (HS 2836) Top Destination Countries (Source: yTrade)

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Argentina Carbonates (HS 2836) Buyers Analysis

Buyer Market Concentration and Dominance

In January 2025, the Argentina Carbonates Export market showed a clear structure with four segments of buyers. According to yTrade data, high value high frequency buyers held the dominant position, driving the majority of trade value for hs code 2836 trade data. This group represents the typical trade pattern for Argentina Carbonates Export buyers, indicating consistent, large-scale transactions.

Strategic Buyer Clusters and Trade Role

The remaining clusters include high value low frequency buyers, who make infrequent but substantial purchases, and low value high frequency buyers, who engage in small, regular transactions. Low value low frequency buyers have minimal impact. The profile of hs code 2836 buyers in the dominant cluster suggests an intermediated market, likely involving trading companies that handle bulk chemical shipments, rather than direct end-users.

Sales Strategy and Vulnerability

For exporters in Argentina, the sales strategy should prioritize nurturing relationships with the dominant high value high frequency buyers to secure steady revenue. However, reliance on this cluster poses a risk if market conditions shift. Diversifying into other buyer segments could reduce vulnerability. No relevant news from January 2025 affects this outlook, so focus remains on existing trade dynamics.

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Action Plan for Carbonates Market Operation and Expansion

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

Argentina's Carbonates Export strategy is defined by two distinct price drivers. Lithium carbonate's high unit price is driven by its premium battery-grade quality and global demand. Other carbonates face price pressure from commodity competition. The hs code 2836 trade data confirms this split.

The Carbonates supply chain must serve two markets. Bulk shipments to China and the United States require cost-efficient logistics for high volumes. Smaller, frequent orders for regional buyers like Chile demand agile distribution. Argentina's role is both a premium lithium supplier and a bulk carbonate exporter.

Action Plan: Data-Driven Steps for Carbonates Market Execution and Expansion

• Prioritize lithium carbonate shipments to high-value buyers in China and the United States. Use hs code 2836 trade data to track unit prices and ensure premium margins. This protects revenue from Argentina's most profitable export.
• Analyze buyer frequency to forecast demand cycles for bulk carbonates. This prevents inventory overstock for commodity products. It optimizes storage costs in the Carbonates supply chain.
• Diversify buyer relationships beyond the dominant high-frequency cluster. Target niche buyers for potassium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate. This reduces market vulnerability and builds new revenue streams for the Argentina Carbonates Export business.
• Streamline logistics for small, frequent orders to regional neighbors like Chile. Use trade data to optimize shipment sizes and routes. This cuts costs for low-value transactions and improves service for transactional buyers.

Take Action Now —— Explore Argentina Carbonates Export Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Argentina Carbonates Export 2025 January?

Argentina's carbonates exports started 2025 strongly with $171.21 million in value, reflecting stable demand for industrial and agricultural applications. The market is dominated by lithium carbonate (99.94% value share), which commands a premium price of 16.62 USD/kg, driving overall performance.

Q2. Who are the main destination countries of Argentina Carbonates (HS Code 2836) 2025 January?

China is the dominant destination, holding 77.80% of the value share, followed by the United States at 10.08%. Chile and Paraguay are smaller but frequent transactional markets, with minimal value shares but higher shipment frequency.

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

Price differences stem from product specialization: lithium carbonate (28369100000) at 16.62 USD/kg dominates high-value exports, while bulk commodities like calcium carbonate trade at 0.53 USD/kg. China and the U.S. receive higher-grade shipments, raising their average unit prices.

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

Exporters should prioritize high-value, high-frequency buyers (dominant cluster) to secure steady revenue, while diversifying into niche markets for potassium/sodium carbonates (4-5 USD/kg) to reduce reliance on bulk commodities. Strengthening ties with China and the U.S. is critical for premium margins.

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

Buyers in China and the U.S. benefit from consistent, high-grade supply (e.g., battery-grade lithium carbonate), while transactional markets like Chile and Paraguay face fragmented, small-scale shipments suited for regional or specialized uses.

Q6. How is Carbonates typically used in this trade flow?

Lithium carbonate (99.94% of value) is primarily for battery production, while calcium carbonate serves as a bulk industrial filler. Potassium and sodium carbonates cater to specialized chemical or food-grade applications.