Argentina Carbonates Export Market -- HS Code 2836 Trade Data & Price Trend (Q1 2025)

Argentina Carbonates Export (HS 2836) Key Takeaways

Argentina's Carbonates exports under HS Code 2836 in Q1 2025 were dominated by high-value lithium carbonate, accounting for over 99% of export value, while lower-grade carbonates served bulk industrial markets. Shipments to China represented 75.74% of total value, reflecting demand for premium products, while the U.S. absorbed volume-driven, lower-margin orders. Despite monthly volatility, exports remained resilient at $453.72 million, with unit prices averaging $16.20/kg, signaling stable demand amid competitive pricing. This analysis is based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database for Q1 2025.

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 (fertilizers), food processing (leavening agents), and water treatment (pH adjustment). Global demand remains stable due to their essential role in industrial and consumer applications.

Current Context and Strategic Position

While no specific trade policy changes have been announced, Argentina's carbonates export market is influenced by broader macroeconomic trends, including fluctuating commodity prices and shifting industrial demand. Argentina's strategic significance in this trade flow stems from its robust chemical production capacity and competitive pricing, making it a key supplier in regional and global markets. Monitoring hs code 2836 trade data is critical to understanding Argentina's carbonates export dynamics, especially as industrial cycles and trade policies evolve. Vigilance remains essential for stakeholders navigating this sector.

Argentina Carbonates Export (HS 2836) Price Trend

Key Observations

Argentina's Carbonates exports in Q1 2025 reached a total value of 453.72 million USD, with unit prices averaging approximately $16.20 per kg. The Argentina Carbonates Export trend showed resilience despite monthly volatility, reflecting steady demand for industrial chemicals under HS code 2836.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The hs code 2836 value trend displayed a sequential shift, with exports dipping in February to 140.52 million USD before a slight recovery to 141.99 million USD in March. This movement aligns with typical post-holiday inventory adjustments and early-year restocking cycles in global manufacturing sectors. The fluctuating unit prices, from $16.45/kg in February to $15.81/kg in March, suggest competitive pricing strategies amid stable macro-economic conditions, including potential currency effects or shifts in raw material costs driving the Argentina Carbonates Export momentum.

Argentina Carbonates Export (HS 2836) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

In Q1 2025, Argentina's export under HS Code 2836 is overwhelmingly dominated by lithium carbonate, according to yTrade data. This product holds over 99% of the export value and 96% of the weight, with a unit price of 16.75 USD per kilogram, highlighting its high-value nature and specialized role in the market.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The other exports consist of lower-grade carbonates, such as calcium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate, with unit prices ranging from 0.51 to 1.27 USD per kilogram. This split indicates a dual structure: lithium carbonate represents a high-value, differentiated chemical, while the others are more fungible bulk commodities tied to industrial uses.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

Argentina's focus on lithium carbonate provides strong pricing power and reduces exposure to commodity price swings. Strategic efforts should prioritize maintaining and expanding high-value exports, as shown in HS Code 2836 trade data, to leverage this advantage in global markets.

Table: Argentina HS Code 2836) Breakdown Details (Source: yTrade)

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Argentina Carbonates Export (HS 2836) Destination Countries

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

China was the dominant destination for Argentina's Carbonates exports in Q1 2025. It accounted for 75.74% of the total export value, which was significantly higher than its 73.93% share of the total weight. This gap between value and weight share indicates that shipments to China included a higher proportion of premium, higher-grade Carbonates or more processed variants within this chemical category. China also led in shipment frequency, responsible for 44.15% of all export transactions.

Destination Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The remaining trade partners form two distinct clusters. The United States represents a Volume Cluster, taking 34.90% of the total weight but only 12.97% of the value. This large volume at a lower effective price point suggests imports are focused on bulk, standard-grade material, likely for industrial processing or manufacturing. A second High-Yield Cluster includes South Korea and Japan. They have a much lower weight share (6.62% and 3.31% respectively) but a high value contribution (5.20% and 3.37%), signaling demand for specialized, high-value Carbonates products that command a much higher price per kilogram.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

For Argentina's HS Code 2836 trade, the strategy should be dual-focused. Efforts must be made to protect and grow the high-margin business with partners like South Korea and Japan. Simultaneously, logistics and production costs for the high-volume, lower-margin shipments to the United States need optimization to maintain competitiveness. With no specific trade news affecting Q1, these patterns are driven by stable market demand.

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

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Action Plan for Carbonates Market Operation and Expansion

• Prioritize high-value contracts with Japan and South Korea using hs code 2836 trade data. This will maximize revenue per kilogram and strengthen Argentina's Carbonates export margins.
• Optimize logistics for bulk shipments to the United States by analyzing port efficiency and shipping routes. Reducing costs here protects competitiveness in high-volume, lower-margin segments of the Carbonates supply chain.
• Monitor buyer frequency and order size data from key markets like China to anticipate demand shifts. This allows proactive inventory management and prevents overproduction of premium lithium carbonate.
• Diversify export destinations within the High-Yield Cluster to reduce reliance on any single market. Spreading risk ensures stable pricing power for Argentina Carbonates Export over the long term.
• Track product-level trends within hs code 2836 to identify new opportunities for high-grade variants. Developing specialized products can further differentiate Argentina's offering and capture additional value.

Take Action Now —— Explore Argentina Carbonates Export Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Argentina's Carbonates exports showed resilience with steady demand, though monthly volatility occurred due to post-holiday inventory adjustments and early-year restocking cycles. Unit price fluctuations ($16.45/kg in February to $15.81/kg in March) reflect competitive pricing strategies amid stable macroeconomic conditions.

Q2. Who are the main destination countries of Argentina Carbonates (HS Code 2836) 2025 Q1?

China dominated with 75.74% of export value, followed by the U.S. (12.97%) and South Korea (5.20%). The U.S. accounted for 34.90% of total weight, while South Korea and Japan represented high-value, low-volume clusters.

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

Prices vary due to product specialization: China and High-Yield Cluster countries (South Korea, Japan) import premium lithium carbonate ($16.75/kg), while the U.S. purchases bulk-grade carbonates (e.g., calcium carbonate) at $0.51–$1.27/kg.

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

Exporters should prioritize high-margin trade with South Korea and Japan while optimizing logistics for high-volume, lower-margin shipments to the U.S. Maintaining lithium carbonate’s pricing power is critical.

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

Buyers in China and High-Yield Cluster countries secure high-grade lithium carbonate, while U.S. buyers access cost-effective bulk materials. Demand stability suggests reliable supply, but pricing strategies may shift with raw material costs.

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

Lithium carbonate (99% of export value) serves high-value applications like battery production, while lower-grade carbonates (e.g., calcium carbonate) are used in industrial manufacturing and processing.

Detailed Monthly Report

Argentina HS2836 Export Snapshot 2025 JAN

Argentina HS2836 Export Snapshot 2025 FEB

Argentina HS2836 Export Snapshot 2025 MAR