Argentina Crude Sunflower Oil Export Market -- HS Code 151211 Trade Data & Price Trend (Aug 2025)

Argentina Crude Sunflower Oil Export (HS 151211) Key Takeaways

Argentina's Crude Sunflower Oil exports under HS Code 151211 in August 2025 rebounded sharply after a July halt, signaling volatile but stabilizing trade flows. The product is dominated by standard-grade bulk shipments (93% share), with a premium tier offering 19% higher margins, highlighting opportunities for value-added diversification. India commands over 54% of export value, reflecting heavy reliance on a single bulk buyer, while Japan and the U.S. present high-margin alternatives. This analysis, covering August 2025, is based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database.

Argentina Crude Sunflower Oil Export (HS 151211) Background

What is HS Code 151211?

HS Code 151211 refers to sunflower seed or safflower oil, crude, a key agricultural commodity used primarily in food processing, cooking oil production, and biodiesel manufacturing. Its global demand remains stable due to its versatility and health benefits compared to other vegetable oils. The product is a significant export for major producers like Argentina, where it supports both domestic and international supply chains.

Current Context and Strategic Position

In Q2 2025, Argentina's Crude Sunflower Oil Export under HS Code 151211 was heavily concentrated in crude sunflower seed oil, with one sub-code dominating the market [ytrade.com]. This aligns with Argentina's broader trade liberalization efforts, including the elimination of its import licensing system as of April 2025 [trade.gov]. Argentina's strategic position as a top global exporter of HS Code 151211 trade data underscores its reliance on agricultural exports for economic stability. Market vigilance is critical, as shifts in trade policies or global demand could impact this vital sector.

Argentina Crude Sunflower Oil Export (HS 151211) Price Trend

Key Observations

Argentina's Crude Sunflower Oil exports in August 2025 reached 149.42 million USD, marking a significant rebound after a complete halt in July. This recovery underscores the ongoing volatility within the hs code 151211 value trend, reflecting broader market adjustments.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The Argentina Crude Sunflower Oil Export trend showed strong growth from January to April 2025, with values rising from 72.87 million USD to 324.70 million USD, likely driven by post-harvest shipment cycles. However, a sharp decline to 120.44 million USD in May, followed by fluctuations and a July standstill, indicates market disruption. According to [YTrade], exports were highly concentrated in Q2, but the subsequent volatility may stem from Argentina's elimination of import licensing in April 2025 (Trade.gov), which could have triggered short-term trade flow adjustments and inventory recalibrations. The August recovery suggests stabilization, aligning with typical seasonal restocking phases.

Argentina Crude Sunflower Oil Export (HS 151211) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

According to yTrade data, Argentina's export of HS Code 151211 in August 2025 is heavily concentrated, with sub-code 15121110919 for crude sunflower oil dominating over 93% of both value and quantity shares. This sub-code handles the bulk standard grade, with a unit price slightly below the average, indicating it is the primary volume driver for Argentina's export activities under this HS code. The other sub-codes show minimal shares, with no extreme price anomalies present.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The sub-codes can be grouped into two categories based on unit price disparities: standard grade (15121110919 and 15121110310) with unit prices close to the average, and a premium grade (15121110911) with a unit price about 19% higher. This structure suggests a trade in fungible bulk commodities, where the product is largely undifferentiated and likely tied to global price indices, with minor variations possibly due to quality or processing nuances.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

For market players, the high concentration in standard grade exports under HS Code 151211 implies limited pricing power due to its commodity nature, but the premium grade offers opportunities for higher margins through differentiation. Exporters should focus on cost efficiency for volume-driven segments while exploring value-added options. Analysis of HS Code 151211 trade data highlights that Argentina's export strategy must balance volume with grade diversification to enhance competitiveness.

Check Detailed HS Code 151211 Breakdown

Argentina Crude Sunflower Oil Export (HS 151211) Destination Countries

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

In August 2025, India was the leading destination for Argentina's Crude Sunflower Oil exports, holding a 54.33% value share and 55.55% quantity share. The close match between value and quantity shares indicates trade in bulk volumes with stable pricing. The frequency share of 24.00% is lower than the value share, suggesting fewer but larger shipments typical for commodity exports.

Destination Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

Export partners fall into three clusters. Bulk importers like India, Iraq, Colombia, and Guinea dominate with high volume and value shares, pointing to large-scale consumption or processing. Premium markets such as Japan and the United States show higher value per unit, reflecting demand for superior quality oil. Frequent buyers including Chile and the United States have high shipment frequencies, likely due to geographic proximity or efficient supply chains for Crude Sunflower Oil.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Argentina should prioritize high-margin markets like Japan and the US to boost profits, while optimizing logistics for bulk buyers in India and Iraq. [YTrade] noted the concentration in crude sunflower seed oil exports, reinforcing the focus on these key partners. Supply chains can be tuned for frequent, smaller shipments to nearby countries like Chile, enhancing flexibility for HS Code 1512 trade.

Table: Argentina Crude Sunflower Oil (HS 151211) Top Destination Countries (Source: yTrade)

Get Complete Destination Countries Profile

Action Plan for Crude Sunflower Oil Market Operation and Expansion

• Target premium markets like Japan and the US for higher-margin sales, as the hs code 151211 trade data shows they pay a 19% premium for superior quality, boosting overall profitability for the Argentina Crude Sunflower Oil Export.
• Optimize the Crude Sunflower Oil supply chain for bulk shipments to major buyers like India and Iraq to achieve economies of scale and secure long-term contracts, ensuring supply security for these high-volume destinations.
• Develop a flexible logistics framework for frequent, smaller shipments to nearby countries like Chile, using buyer frequency data to reduce lead times and mitigate shipping cost volatility.
• Diversify export grades by increasing the production share of premium crude oil to build pricing power and reduce reliance on the volatile standard commodity market, a key strategy revealed by the hs code 151211 trade data analysis.

Take Action Now —— Explore Argentina Crude Sunflower Oil Export Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Argentina Crude Sunflower Oil Export 2025 August?

Argentina's Crude Sunflower Oil exports rebounded sharply in August 2025 after a complete halt in July, reflecting market volatility likely tied to policy shifts like import licensing changes and seasonal restocking phases.

Q2. Who are the main destination countries of Argentina Crude Sunflower Oil (HS Code 151211) 2025 August?

India dominated as the top destination, accounting for 54.33% of export value, followed by bulk importers like Iraq, Colombia, and Guinea, alongside premium markets such as Japan and the US.

Q3. Why does the unit price differ across destination countries of Argentina Crude Sunflower Oil Export?

Price differences stem from grade specialization: standard-grade sub-codes (e.g., 15121110919) drive bulk volumes, while premium-grade sub-codes (e.g., 15121110911) command ~19% higher prices in markets like Japan and the US.

Q4. What should exporters in Argentina focus on in the current Crude Sunflower Oil export market?

Exporters should prioritize cost efficiency for bulk buyers (e.g., India) while targeting premium markets (e.g., Japan) for higher margins and optimizing logistics for frequent, smaller shipments to nearby countries like Chile.

Q5. What does this Argentina Crude Sunflower Oil export pattern mean for buyers in partner countries?

Bulk buyers (e.g., India) benefit from stable pricing and large shipments, while premium buyers (e.g., Japan) access higher-quality oil. Frequent buyers like Chile enjoy reliable, smaller-volume supply chains.

Q6. How is Crude Sunflower Oil typically used in this trade flow?

The product is primarily traded as a fungible bulk commodity, with standard grades used for large-scale processing and premium grades catering to specialized food or industrial applications.