Argentina Carbonates Export Market -- HS Code 2836 Trade Data & Price Trend (Q3 2025)

Argentina Carbonates Export (HS 2836) Key Takeaways

Argentina's Carbonates export under HS Code 2836 in Q3 2025 was dominated by high-value lithium carbonate, accounting for over 99% of export value, while bulk-grade carbonates played a minor role. Shipments rebounded sharply in August and September after a July halt, likely driven by Argentina’s 0% export duty policy. The market remains highly concentrated, with China absorbing 82% of exports—a significant risk given the reliance on premium-grade shipments. This analysis, covering Q3 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 (as buffering agents). Global demand remains stable due to their essential role in these sectors, particularly in emerging markets.

Current Context and Strategic Position

Argentina's carbonates export market is influenced by recent policy shifts, including Decree No. 682, which set a 0% export duty rate for specified goods [KPMG]. This measure could enhance competitiveness for Argentina's HS Code 2836 trade data, particularly as China dominates regional demand. Argentina's strategic position in carbonates exports is bolstered by its agricultural sector, a key driver of ammonium carbonate usage. Monitoring pricing trends and EU expansion efforts will be critical for stakeholders navigating this market.

Argentina Carbonates Export (HS 2836) Price Trend

Key Observations

Argentina's Carbonates exports under HS code 2836 in Q3 2025 totaled $146.31 million USD, characterized by a sharp recovery in August and September after a complete halt in July.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The Argentina Carbonates Export trend showed considerable instability through 2025, with values consistently above $140 million from January to April before dropping to the $45-49 million range in May and June. Exports flatlined in July but rebounded to $68.54 million in August and further to $77.77 million in September. This sequential improvement coincides with Argentina's move to a 0% export duty for certain goods, as detailed in [KPMG] in late September, which appears to have quickly reinvigorated trade. The hs code 2836 value trend reflects how policy shifts can rapidly influence export momentum, with the Q3 rebound signaling restored exporter engagement.

Argentina Carbonates Export (HS 2836) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

According to yTrade data for 2025 Q3, Argentina's export of HS Code 2836 is overwhelmingly dominated by lithium carbonate, which represents nearly the entire export value. This product alone accounts for over 99% of the value share, with a unit price of approximately 30 USD per kilogram, far exceeding other carbonates like calcium carbonate at around 1 USD per kilogram. This sharp price disparity highlights a clear specialization in high-value lithium-based products within Argentina's HS Code 2836 export activities.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The remaining exports under HS Code 2836 can be grouped into two categories: bulk commodity-grade carbonates, such as calcium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate, with unit prices under 2 USD per kilogram, and a minor category of other unspecified carbonates. This structure indicates that while lithium carbonate is a differentiated, high-grade chemical, the other products are likely fungible bulk materials traded on commodity markets, with little value addition or differentiation.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

For market players, Argentina's HS Code 2836 trade data reveals that pricing power is concentrated with lithium carbonate exporters, who can leverage its high value and specialized demand. Strategic focus should prioritize maintaining quality and supply chains for lithium carbonate to sustain premium pricing, while bulk carbonate exports may require cost efficiency to compete in price-sensitive 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

Argentina's Carbonates exports in Q3 2025 were overwhelmingly concentrated in a single market. China was the dominant destination, accounting for 82.18% of the total export value and 73.64% of all shipments. This extreme reliance on one partner creates significant market risk. The data shows a major disparity: China's value share (82.18%) is much higher than its quantity share (72.12%). This means Argentina is shipping higher-value, finished grades of Carbonates to China, not just bulk raw materials.

Destination Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The remaining trade partners form two clear clusters. The first is a high-yield cluster including South Korea (5.73% value share) and Japan (2.55% value share). These countries have high value shares from very low quantities, indicating they import small volumes of premium, specialized Carbonates products. The second is a volume cluster led by the United States (16.29% quantity share, 5.60% value share) and Indonesia (5.63% quantity share). Their higher quantity shares versus value shares show they are buyers of larger volumes of lower-value, bulk material. A final group, including France, Mexico, India, Spain, and the UK, constitutes a transactional cluster with numerous small, low-value shipments.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Argentina's export strategy for HS Code 2836 should focus on mitigating the risk from its heavy dependence on China. The high-yield cluster (South Korea, Japan) offers a path to diversify into more profitable, value-added markets. The recent policy establishing a 0% export duty for certain goods [kpmg.com] could help Argentine Carbonates exporters remain price-competitive when pursuing these premium markets. For the volume-driven trade with the U.S., supply chain efficiency and cost control will be key to maintaining those bulk shipments.

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

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Action Plan for Carbonates Market Operation and Expansion

• Use hs code 2836 trade data to identify and target premium buyers in South Korea and Japan, as their high-value orders for specialized grades will diversify revenue away from the dominant Chinese market and strengthen the overall Argentina Carbonates export strategy.
• Segment the Carbonates supply chain to separate high-value lithium carbonate from bulk materials; this allows for tailored logistics and pricing strategies that protect premium product margins while competitively serving volume-driven buyers like the U.S.
• Negotiate long-term contracts with key lithium carbonate buyers to lock in prices, as this provides predictable revenue and mitigates the risk of price volatility common in commodity markets, which is critical for Argentina's Carbonates export stability.
• Monitor geopolitical and policy shifts in China closely, because any disruption there would immediately impact the Carbonates supply chain; developing contingency shipping routes and alternative buyers is essential for supply security.
• Leverage Argentina's 0% export duty policy to offer competitive pricing on bulk carbonates to volume buyers, as this cost advantage can help secure and expand market share in transactional and bulk segments identified in the hs code 2836 trade data.

Take Action Now —— Explore Argentina Carbonates Export Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Argentina Carbonates Export 2025 Q3?

Argentina's Carbonates exports rebounded sharply in August and September 2025 after a July halt, likely due to the 0% export duty policy introduced in late September, which quickly reinvigorated trade momentum.

Q2. Who are the main destination countries of Argentina Carbonates (HS Code 2836) 2025 Q3?

China dominates as the primary destination, accounting for 82.18% of export value, followed by South Korea (5.73%) and Japan (2.55%), which import smaller volumes of premium-grade products.

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

The price disparity stems from Argentina's specialization in high-value lithium carbonate (30 USD/kg), shipped mainly to China and high-yield markets, versus bulk-grade carbonates (under 2 USD/kg) sent to volume-driven buyers like the U.S.

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

Exporters should prioritize maintaining lithium carbonate quality to sustain premium pricing while diversifying into high-yield markets (e.g., South Korea, Japan) to reduce reliance on China.

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

Buyers in China benefit from consistent high-grade supply, while volume-driven markets (e.g., U.S.) access cost-efficient bulk materials. Premium markets (Japan, South Korea) secure specialized, high-value products.

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

Lithium carbonate is primarily used in battery production, while bulk carbonates like calcium carbonate serve industrial applications such as construction materials or chemical manufacturing.

Detailed Monthly Report

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