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

Argentina Cheese Export (HS 0406) Key Takeaways

Argentina's cheese exports under HS Code 0406 in March 2025 reveal a market dominated by bulk fresh cheese, with limited pricing power outside high-value grated cheese. The trade is highly concentrated among large-volume buyers, creating reliance on stable distributor relationships, while Brazil accounts for over half of exports, signaling regional bulk demand. Despite declining volume, unit prices rose to $10.40/kg, suggesting a shift toward premiumization amid supply constraints. This analysis covers March 2025 and is based on 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 dairy product with broad applications in food manufacturing, retail, and foodservice. Global demand remains stable due to its versatility in culinary uses and long shelf life. Key drivers include rising consumption in emerging markets and steady demand from developed economies.

Current Context and Strategic Position

The U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule recently underwent revisions, including updates impacting dairy classifications [USITC]. This underscores the need for vigilance in tracking regulatory shifts affecting cheese exports. Argentina's cheese export sector is strategically significant, leveraging its robust dairy industry to supply key markets. Monitoring hs code 0406 trade data is critical to navigating tariff adjustments and maintaining competitiveness. Argentina's position as a leading exporter demands close attention to both policy changes and global demand trends.

Argentina Cheese Export (HS 0406) Price Trend

Key Observations

Argentina's cheese exports in March 2025 reached 75.64 million USD at a unit price of $10.40 per kg, marking a continued shift in trade dynamics.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The Argentina Cheese Export trend shows a sequential decline in both value and volume from January to March, with exports dropping from 91.22 million USD to 75.64 million USD and weight falling from 9.67 million kg to 7.28 million kg. However, unit prices strengthened from $9.43 to $10.40 per kg, indicating potential supply constraints or a move toward premium products. This pattern aligns with adjustments following the mid-March Harmonized Tariff Schedule revision by the USITC [USITC], which may have prompted exporters to optimize for higher margins amid changing trade conditions. The hs code 0406 value trend reflects this recalibration, with prices rising despite lower volumes.

Argentina Cheese Export (HS 0406) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

Argentina's export of cheese under HS Code 0406 in March 2025 is heavily concentrated in fresh cheese, not fermented. According to yTrade data, this single product type accounted for over half of the total export value. Its unit price of $10.19 per kilogram aligns closely with other major cheese categories, indicating it is a bulk commodity. A notable price anomaly exists for grated or powdered cheese, which commands a significantly higher price of over $32 per kilogram; this specialized, high-value product has been isolated from the main analysis due to its distinct market dynamics.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The remaining non-anomalous exports reveal a clear structure based on cheese type and form. The market is split between fresh cheeses and a range of other non-processed cheeses, including standard varieties and blue-veined options. Unit prices for these bulk categories cluster between $10 and $15 per kilogram. This tight pricing band and the focus on non-processed forms suggest Argentina's HS Code 0406 export profile is dominated by fungible bulk commodities, not highly differentiated finished goods, with trade likely linked to commodity markets rather than brand premium.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

Analysis of HS Code 0406 trade data indicates that pricing power for Argentine exporters is limited outside of the specialized grated cheese segment. The market structure favors volume-driven strategies for bulk cheese. To increase returns, exporters should focus on developing more finished, higher-value products like the grated cheese anomaly, which demonstrate an ability to capture premium pricing. The current export mix for Argentina's HS Code 0406 exports is heavily exposed to competitive bulk markets.

Table: Argentina HS Code 0406) Breakdown Details (Source: yTrade)

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Argentina Cheese Export (HS 0406) Destination Countries

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

Brazil is the dominant destination for Argentina's cheese exports in March 2025, holding a 55% value share and 57% weight share. The slightly lower value share compared to weight share suggests that exports to Brazil may involve bulk or standard cheese varieties, with a unit price around 10.32 USD/kg. The high frequency of shipments at 38% indicates regular, likely weekly or daily, trade to ensure freshness for this perishable product under HS Code 0406.

Destination Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The top destinations can be grouped into three clusters based on trade patterns. First, the Bulk Export Cluster includes Brazil, Uruguay, and Peru, where weight shares exceed value shares, pointing to large-volume shipments for mass consumption or processing. Second, the Premium Market Cluster consists of China Taiwan and Russia, with higher value per kilogram (e.g., 12.29 USD/kg for China Taiwan), indicating demand for specialty or high-end cheese. Third, the Transactional Cluster features Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay, with high frequency shares suggesting frequent, small-lot shipments for retail or immediate use due to cheese's perishable nature.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

To enhance Argentina's cheese export performance, prioritize premium markets like China Taiwan and Russia by promoting high-value products to boost margins. For bulk buyers like Brazil and Uruguay, focus on logistics optimization to cut transportation costs and maintain efficiency. The high-frequency trade with neighbors such as Paraguay and Chile requires reliable, fast supply chains to manage perishability, ensuring timely delivery for HS Code 0406 goods.

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 market in March 2025 was dominated by a core group of high-value, high-frequency buyers. This cluster accounted for the largest share of total export value, setting the standard for typical trade volume and transaction size. The median trade for Argentina Cheese Export buyers fell within this group, indicating a market driven by consistent, high-volume purchasing.

Strategic Buyer Clusters and Trade Role

The profile of HS code 0406 buyers shows the dominant group consists of large-scale distributors or food service suppliers, pointing to a direct-to-factory or bulk supply chain model. Other segments include occasional bulk importers, regular small buyers, and infrequent small purchasers. These four segments of buyers reflect a mature export market with diversified but concentrated demand channels for Argentina's cheese products.

Sales Strategy and Vulnerability

For Argentine exporters, strategy should focus on maintaining relationships with high-value, high-frequency buyers to ensure stable revenue. The reliance on this cluster creates vulnerability to demand shifts from major distributors. Sales efforts should prioritize contract stability with key partners while monitoring opportunities to upgrade smaller, frequent buyers. The market structure supports a direct sales model targeting large-volume trade partners for HS code 0406 trade data.

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Action Plan for Cheese Market Operation and Expansion

• Diversify into high-value grated cheese products using hs code 0406 trade data to identify premium buyers, because this moves Argentina's Cheese Export beyond low-margin bulk commodities and captures higher unit prices.
• Secure long-term contracts with high-frequency, high-volume distributors to stabilize revenue, as these buyers form the core of Argentina Cheese Export volume and ensure predictable demand for the perishable cheese supply chain.
• Target premium markets like China Taiwan and Russia with specialized products, because their higher value per kilogram in the hs code 0406 trade data directly boosts overall export profitability.
• Optimize the cheese supply chain for speed and cost to neighboring bulk markets like Brazil, ensuring frequent, fresh deliveries that reduce spoilage and maintain competitive advantage for Argentina's Cheese Export.
• Continuously monitor hs code 0406 trade data for shifts in buyer frequency and emerging premium product demand, enabling proactive strategy adjustments to protect Argentina Cheese Export margins from market volatility.

Take Action Now —— Explore Argentina Cheese Export Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Argentina's cheese exports declined in volume but saw higher unit prices, rising from $9.43 to $10.40/kg, likely due to supply constraints or a shift toward premium products. This follows adjustments after the USITC's mid-March tariff revisions, prompting exporters to prioritize margins over volume.

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

Brazil dominates with 55% of export value, followed by Uruguay and Peru in bulk markets, while China Taiwan and Russia form a premium cluster with higher unit prices (e.g., $12.29/kg for China Taiwan).

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

Prices vary due to product specialization: bulk fresh cheese trades at $10–15/kg, while grated/powdered cheese commands premiums (over $32/kg). Premium markets like China Taiwan likely receive higher-value products.

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

Exporters should prioritize high-value buyers (e.g., distributors) for stable revenue, develop premium products like grated cheese, and optimize logistics for bulk markets (e.g., Brazil) to cut costs.

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

Bulk buyers (e.g., Brazil) benefit from consistent supply, while premium markets (e.g., China Taiwan) access niche products. Frequent small-lot buyers (e.g., Paraguay) rely on Argentina's perishable-goods supply chain efficiency.

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

Argentina’s HS Code 0406 exports are primarily bulk, non-processed cheeses for mass consumption or food service, with limited high-end exceptions like grated cheese for specialized demand.