Argentina Cheese Export Market -- HS Code 0406 Trade Data & Price Trend (Jan 2025)

Argentina Cheese Export (HS 0406) Key Takeaways

Argentina’s cheese exports under HS Code 0406 in January 2025 were dominated by fresh cheese and curd, accounting for over half of trade value, with stable pricing at $9.43 per unit. The market relies heavily on high-volume buyers, creating concentration risks, while Brazil absorbed nearly 50% of shipments, signaling bulk demand. Premium markets like the U.S. and Russia offered higher margins. This analysis is based on cleanly processed customs data from the yTrade database.

Argentina Cheese Export (HS 0406) Background

What is HS Code 0406?

HS Code 0406 covers cheese and curd, a staple in global food trade due to its widespread use in retail, food processing, and hospitality industries. Demand remains stable, driven by protein-rich diets and versatile culinary applications. Argentina’s dairy sector, a key player in Latin America, contributes significantly to this trade flow.

Current Context and Strategic Position

Argentina’s export policy for cheese (HS 0406) saw a shift in late 2025, with zero export duties applied to certain agricultural goods, including dairy products, from September to October [KPMG]. This aligns with broader trade reforms, such as the elimination of import licenses and a new U.S.-Argentina trade framework aimed at easing agricultural exports [Trade.gov, Thompson Hine]. Argentina’s cheese export competitiveness hinges on these policy adjustments, making hs code 0406 trade data critical for monitoring market access and tariff dynamics. Vigilance is key as bilateral agreements and duty waivers reshape trade flows.

Argentina Cheese Export (HS 0406) Price Trend

Key Observations

In January 2025, the Argentina Cheese Export trend under HS code 0406 reached a value of $91.22 million with a volume of 9.67 million units, indicating a solid start to the year for dairy shipments.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The hs code 0406 value trend for January shows a unit price of approximately $9.43 per unit, reflecting stable pricing and consistent export volumes. This steadiness is typical for the dairy industry post-holiday season, where inventory levels often normalize after year-end fluctuations.

External Context and Outlook

Global dairy demand and currency exchange rates, particularly the Argentine peso's performance, are primary influencers on export competitiveness. With no major trade policy shifts affecting cheese exports in early 2025, market conditions remain driven by these macroeconomic factors.

Argentina Cheese Export (HS 0406) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

According to yTrade data for January 2025, Argentina's export under HS Code 0406 is dominated by fresh cheese, not fermented, and curd, which holds over half of the total value and weight shares. This product specializes with a unit price of 8.82 USD per kilogram, indicating a strong focus on this specific cheese type without any extreme price anomalies in the data.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The remaining exports consist of various cheese types, grouped into standard varieties like other non-specified cheeses with prices around 8-10 USD per kilogram, and higher-grade options such as blue-veined cheeses reaching up to 12.12 USD per kilogram. This structure shows a trade in differentiated finished goods, not bulk commodities, with clear variations in quality and form influencing pricing.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

For market players, the differentiated nature of HS Code 0406 exports from Argentina allows for pricing power based on product quality and specialization. Strategies should focus on maintaining high standards for premium segments while optimizing production for the dominant fresh cheese category to capitalize on its market share. Analyzing HS Code 0406 trade data reveals opportunities to leverage Argentina's cheese export strengths in targeted markets.

Check Detailed HS Code 0406 Breakdown

Argentina Cheese Export (HS 0406) Destination Countries

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

In January 2025, Brazil was the top destination for Argentina's cheese exports, holding 48.75% of the value and 50.23% of the weight shipped. The value share is slightly below the weight share, indicating that cheese sent to Brazil may be lower in value per kilogram, typical for bulk or standard-grade products. Frequency share is 37.67%, showing regular but not overly fragmented shipments, consistent with large-scale trade.

Destination Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The export markets for Argentina's cheese form two main clusters. A volume cluster includes Brazil and Chile, with high weight and value shares, pointing to mass consumption or processing hubs. A high-yield cluster features Russia, Mexico, and the United States, where value shares exceed weight shares, suggesting premium cheese demand. Uruguay and Paraguay have high frequency shares relative to value, indicating frequent, small orders for fresh cheese in nearby regions.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Argentina should target high-margin markets like Russia and the US to boost profits from cheese exports, while maintaining efficient logistics for volume buyers like Brazil. The frequent shipments to Uruguay and Paraguay require agile, fresh supply chains. This approach for HS Code 0406 trade balances volume and value opportunities.

Table: Argentina Cheese (HS 0406) Top Destination Countries (Source: yTrade)

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Argentina Cheese (HS 0406) Buyers Analysis

Buyer Market Concentration and Dominance

According to yTrade data, the Argentina Cheese Export buyers market in January 2025 shows a strong concentration, with high-value, high-frequency buyers dominating the trade value. This means that the typical trade for HS code 0406 involves large, regular shipments, shaping the market around consistent, high-volume transactions from key players.

Strategic Buyer Clusters and Trade Role

The four segments of buyers for Argentina Cheese Export include a mix of large-scale distributors and occasional purchasers. The dominant high-value, high-frequency group points to an intermediated market, where trade is often handled by agents or trading companies rather than direct end-users. This profile of HS code 0406 buyers suggests that the market relies on established relationships with major intermediaries for efficient distribution.

Sales Strategy and Vulnerability

For exporters in Argentina, the buyer structure emphasizes focusing on key high-volume buyers to maintain steady sales under HS code 0406 trade data. However, this concentration creates vulnerability to demand shifts from major clients. Diversifying into smaller, frequent buyers can reduce risk and support a more resilient sales model, aligning with the need for balanced engagement across all buyer types.

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Action Plan for Cheese Market Operation and Expansion

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

Argentina's Cheese Export under hs code 0406 trade data reveals two core price drivers. Product quality and specialization dictate value. High-grade cheeses like blue-veined command premium prices. Large-volume contracts with key buyers also set market rates.

The Cheese supply chain must serve two distinct flows. Bulk shipments to Brazil require cost-efficient logistics for volume. Premium exports to the US and Russia need agile, quality-preserving channels. Reliance on a few high-volume buyers creates vulnerability to demand shifts.

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

• Target high-yield markets like Russia and the US using hs code 0406 trade data. Analyze their import patterns for premium cheeses. This boosts profit margins by shifting focus from volume to value.
• Diversify your buyer base by identifying high-frequency, smaller buyers in nearby markets. Use trade data to find importers in Uruguay and Paraguay. This reduces risk from dependence on a few large clients.
• Optimize production allocation between fresh cheese and premium varieties. Match output to the demand patterns shown in the trade data. This ensures you capitalize on both volume and high-margin opportunities.
• Strengthen relationships with major distributors in Brazil. Use shipment frequency data to predict their order cycles. This secures stable revenue from your largest volume market.
• Invest in agile logistics for frequent, small shipments to neighboring countries. This meets the fresh cheese demand in Uruguay and Paraguay. It protects product quality and market share in these regions.

Take Action Now —— Explore Argentina Cheese Export Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Argentina's cheese exports in January 2025 show stable pricing ($9.43/unit) and volume, influenced by steady global dairy demand and the Argentine peso's exchange rate, with no major trade policy shifts affecting the market.

Q2. Who are the main destination countries of Argentina Cheese (HS Code 0406) 2025 January?

Brazil dominates as the top destination, accounting for 48.75% of export value, followed by Chile, Russia, Mexico, and the US, which form distinct volume and high-margin clusters.

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

Price variations stem from product differentiation: bulk fresh cheese (avg. $8.82/kg) ships to Brazil, while premium cheeses like blue-veined ($12.12/kg) target high-yield markets like the US and Russia.

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

Exporters should prioritize high-volume buyers in Brazil while diversifying into premium markets (US, Russia) to mitigate reliance on dominant clients and capitalize on higher margins.

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

Buyers in Brazil benefit from bulk pricing, while those in the US and Russia access premium varieties. Frequent small orders to Uruguay/Paraguay indicate demand for fresh, regional supply chains.

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

Argentina’s HS Code 0406 exports are finished goods, primarily fresh cheese and curd (50%+ share), with differentiated varieties like blue-veined cheese catering to niche markets.