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

Argentina Cheese Export (HS 0406) Key Takeaways

Argentina's cheese exports under HS Code 0406 in May 2025 were dominated by bulk fresh cheese, with Brazil accounting for 50% of export value, signaling a high-volume but price-sensitive trade. Shipments to Chile and Russia showed premium potential, while neighboring Paraguay and Uruguay relied on frequent, smaller deliveries. The market faced a sharp decline to $39.34 million, likely due to supply disruptions rather than pricing shifts. Buyer concentration remains unclear due to data gaps, highlighting reliance on a few key markets. This analysis is based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database for May 2025.

Argentina Cheese Export (HS 0406) Background

What is HS Code 0406?

HS Code 0406 classifies cheese and curd, a staple in global food markets due to its versatility in culinary applications and long shelf life. This product is widely used in retail, food service, and processed food industries, driving consistent demand across developed and emerging economies. Its trade dynamics are influenced by factors like dairy production cycles, consumer preferences, and trade policies.

Current Context and Strategic Position

Recent updates to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (2025) [USITC] highlight ongoing adjustments to trade classifications, underscoring the need for vigilance in HS Code 0406 trade data. Argentina, a key player in global dairy exports, leverages its competitive dairy sector to supply high-quality cheese to international markets. The country’s cheese export from Argentina is strategically significant, benefiting from favorable production costs and trade agreements. Monitoring these exports is critical, as shifts in tariffs or demand could impact Argentina’s market position. (USITC)

Argentina Cheese Export (HS 0406) Price Trend

Key Observations

Argentina's cheese exports for May 2025 fell sharply to a total value of $39.34 million USD. This represents a significant downturn in monthly performance.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The overall Argentina Cheese Export trend for early 2025 showed a clear pattern of declining export volumes despite firming unit prices through the first quarter. From January to March, export value dropped from $91.22 million to $75.64 million even as prices rose, indicating that shipment volumes were contracting. The sharp fall in May’s export value—with no corresponding weight data—suggests a likely disruption in trade flows or a pullback in international demand for products under hs code 0406. This may reflect broader supply-side challenges, such as production timing or logistical constraints, rather than a shift in global cheese pricing.

Argentina Cheese Export (HS 0406) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

According to yTrade data for May 2025, Argentina's export of cheese under HS Code 0406 is heavily concentrated in a single product. Fresh cheese, not fermented, and curd dominates the trade, accounting for over half of the total export value and quantity. This high-volume, high-value share points to a specialized bulk trade in a specific cheese type, establishing it as the core commodity flow for the period.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The remaining exports consist of two main categories. The first is a wide range of other non-processed cheeses, which together form a significant secondary segment. The second is a smaller group of processed items, specifically grated or powdered cheese, which trades at a much lower value per unit. This structure shows Argentina's HS Code 0406 export is primarily built on trading bulk, non-differentiated cheese commodities, with only a minor presence of value-added processed forms.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

The market structure for Argentina's HS Code 0406 export suggests strong competition on volume and cost for the dominant fresh cheese product. Suppliers likely have limited pricing power, as the trade is centered on a fungible bulk good. For other cheese types, the analysis of HS Code 0406 trade data indicates an opportunity to develop niche, higher-value products to improve margins beyond the competitive bulk market.

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

Check Detailed HS Code 0406 Breakdown

Argentina Cheese Export (HS 0406) Destination Countries

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

Brazil is the dominant destination for Argentina's cheese exports in May 2025, taking 50% of the total export value. Its value share (50.00%) slightly exceeds its quantity share (49.93%), signaling that shipments to Brazil consist of higher-value or premium cheese varieties. The high frequency of shipments (41.97% of all transactions) also points to a steady, high-volume trade relationship, crucial for a perishable product like cheese that requires consistent logistics.

Destination Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The export partners form two clear clusters. The first is a high-value cluster of Chile and Russia. Both have a value share significantly higher than their frequency share, indicating larger, less frequent shipments of premium cheese, likely for bulk distribution. The second is a high-frequency cluster comprising Paraguay and Uruguay. Their frequency shares (12.39% and 8.26%) are much larger than their value shares (4.49% and 1.59%), pointing to a trade pattern of many smaller, more frequent shipments. This is typical for supplying fresh cheese to nearby markets with a need for rapid turnover and shorter supply chains.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

The data suggests a two-pronged strategy for Argentina's cheese export growth. First, the high-value cluster of Chile and Russia represents a premium market opportunity. Efforts should focus on maintaining and expanding these relationships with a consistent supply of high-grade products. Second, the high-frequency trade with neighboring Paraguay and Uruguay requires a robust and reliable logistics network to ensure the fresh product arrives quickly. Optimizing cross-border transportation for these smaller, regular shipments will be key to securing this regional business.

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

Get Complete Destination Countries Profile

Argentina Cheese (HS 0406) Buyers Analysis

Buyer Market Concentration and Dominance

The market structure for Argentina Cheese Export buyers in May 2025 cannot be determined due to missing data. According to yTrade data, the contribution of the four segments of buyers based on value and frequency is not available, making it impossible to identify a dominant cluster or define the typical trade for hs code 0406 trade data. Without this information, the concentration of Argentina Cheese Export buyers remains unclear.

Strategic Buyer Clusters and Trade Role

Without specific data, the strategic roles of the four segments of buyers for Argentina Cheese Export cannot be interpreted. The profile of HS code 0406 buyers is undefined, preventing any analysis of whether the market is intermediated, state-controlled, or direct-to-factory. This lack of information hinders understanding the commercial persona or trade dynamics for hs code 0406 trade data.

Sales Strategy and Vulnerability

For Argentina's Cheese Export, sales strategy and vulnerability assessments are not possible without buyer cluster data. Strategic focus and risks cannot be outlined, but news context includes the Harmonized Tariff Schedule update [USITC], which may influence export conditions. However, without buyer insights, no concrete implications can be drawn for Argentina's approach to hs code 0406 trade data.

Check Full Cheese Buyer lists

Action Plan for Cheese Market Operation and Expansion

• Target Brazil's dominant market with consistent quality. Use hs code 0406 trade data to monitor shipment volumes and values to maintain this high-volume, high-value relationship, as it is the cornerstone of Argentina's Cheese Export stability.
• Develop premium products for high-value clusters like Chile and Russia. Analyze their import patterns from the hs code 0406 trade data to tailor higher-margin offerings, moving beyond bulk commodity competition and improving overall export profitability.
• Optimize the Cheese supply chain for high-frequency neighbors Paraguay and Uruguay. Secure reliable, rapid cross-border logistics for smaller, frequent shipments to ensure product freshness and secure this regional trade.
• Diversify into processed cheese products like grated or powdered varieties. Use the hs code 0406 trade data to identify specific buyer demands for value-added goods, building a more resilient and higher-margin Argentina Cheese Export profile.

Take Action Now —— Explore Argentina Cheese Export Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Argentina's cheese exports fell sharply to $39.34 million in May 2025, likely due to declining shipment volumes despite firming unit prices earlier in the year. This suggests a disruption in trade flows or weakened international demand for bulk fresh cheese, the dominant export product.

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

Brazil dominates with 50% of export value, followed by Chile and Russia as high-value destinations. Paraguay and Uruguay form a high-frequency cluster, receiving smaller but more frequent shipments.

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

Brazil and Chile receive higher-value fresh cheese varieties, while Paraguay and Uruguay trade smaller, lower-margin shipments. Processed cheeses (e.g., grated/powdered) also trade at lower unit prices.

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

Exporters should prioritize premium markets like Chile and Russia for higher margins while optimizing logistics for frequent regional shipments to Paraguay and Uruguay to ensure freshness.

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

Brazilian buyers benefit from steady bulk supply, while Chilean/Russian importers access premium products. Neighboring buyers rely on Argentina’s reliable logistics for frequent, small-scale deliveries.

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

Argentina primarily exports bulk fresh cheese, a commodity-grade product for mass consumption, with minor volumes of processed (e.g., grated) cheese for niche uses.