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

Argentina Crude Sunflower Oil Export (HS 151211) Key Takeaways

Argentina's Crude Sunflower Oil exports under HS Code 151211 in January 2025 reveal a market dominated by bulk crude oil, with 89% of value concentrated in a single sub-code, while premium grades command higher prices. The UAE led as the top bulk buyer, mirroring its 18.5% value share, alongside high-frequency shipments to Malaysia. Export trends show stability, with a $72.87 million start at $2.22/kg, reflecting balanced post-harvest demand. This analysis, covering January 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 particularly significant in regions with high consumption of plant-based oils, driving consistent trade flows worldwide.

Current Context and Strategic Position

While no specific trade policy updates have been announced, the Argentina Crude Sunflower Oil Export market remains sensitive to global commodity price fluctuations and shifting dietary trends. Argentina is a major player in the hs code 151211 trade data, ranking among the top global exporters due to its large-scale sunflower cultivation and efficient processing infrastructure. The country’s competitive pricing and reliable supply chain reinforce its strategic position in meeting international demand. Market participants should monitor production forecasts and trade dynamics to navigate potential volatility in early 2025.

Argentina Crude Sunflower Oil Export (HS 151211) Price Trend

Key Observations

Argentina's Crude Sunflower Oil export trend for January 2025 opened with a total value of 72.87 million USD, at a unit price of 2.22 USD per kg. This initial performance for hs code 151211 value trend indicates a robust start to the year, reflecting steady market activity.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The January data points to a stable export environment, likely driven by post-harvest inventory carryover from late 2024, which is common in sunflower oil cycles. The consistent pricing suggests balanced global demand and supply, possibly supported by favorable currency exchange rates or ongoing international appetite for vegetable oils. This stability in the Argentina Crude Sunflower Oil export trend may set a foundation for the coming months, depending on crop yields and macroeconomic shifts.

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

Product Specialization and Concentration

Argentina's HS Code 151211 exports in January 2025 are heavily concentrated. According to yTrade data, one sub-code, "Vegetable oils; sunflower seed or safflower oil and their fractions, crude, not chemically modified" (15121110919), dominates with 89% of the total export value and 91% of the weight. Its unit price of $2.17 per kg is the market benchmark. One shipment with an abnormally low price of $0.08 per kg is excluded from the main analysis as an outlier.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The remaining non-anomalous shipments fall into two clear groups. The first is the dominant bulk crude oil, traded as a fungible commodity. The second group consists of smaller volumes with higher unit prices, ranging from $2.60 to $2.68 per kg. This price premium suggests these are higher-grade or slightly more refined crude oils, indicating a market with some quality differentiation alongside the main bulk trade.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

The extreme concentration under one sub-code gives major producers significant pricing power for the bulk commodity. For other players, the strategic focus should be on capturing value in the premium segments, where higher unit prices are achievable. Analysis of HS Code 151211 trade data confirms that competing on quality, not just volume, is a viable path for exporters.

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Argentina Crude Sunflower Oil Export (HS 151211) Destination Countries

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

Argentina's Crude Sunflower Oil exports in January 2025 were led by the United Arab Emirates, which accounted for 18.5% of the total export value. This represents a classic bulk commodity profile, as the UAE's value share (18.50%) is nearly identical to its weight share (19.16%). This alignment confirms the trade is for standard-grade product, not premium variants. The analysis of HS Code 151211 trade data shows a market where price is tightly linked to volume.

Destination Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The data reveals two clear clusters among the top buyers. The first is a Volume Cluster, comprising the UAE, India, Colombia, and Peru. These four partners collectively represent over 65% of the total export weight, indicating they are major bulk consumption or re-export hubs for this commodity. The second is a Transactional Cluster, led by Malaysia, which has a high shipment frequency (20.35%) relative to its share of weight (5.96%). This suggests a supply chain pattern of smaller, more frequent shipments, likely to meet just-in-time demand from regional refiners or food processors.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

For Argentina's Crude Sunflower Oil export strategy, the priority should be securing long-term contracts with the high-volume partners in the Middle East and South Asia to ensure stable demand. The logistical focus must be on optimizing port and shipping capacity for large bulk shipments to these hubs. Simultaneously, the high-frequency, smaller volume trade with partners like Malaysia offers an opportunity to diversify into more agile, spot-market sales, potentially capturing better margins during periods of tight supply.

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

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Action Plan for Crude Sunflower Oil Market Operation and Expansion

• Negotiate long-term bulk contracts with high-volume partners like the UAE and India. This secures stable demand for the majority of Argentina's Crude Sunflower Oil export volume and ensures predictable revenue.
• Analyze hs code 151211 trade data to identify and target buyers of premium-grade oil. This allows you to capture higher margins by catering to niche markets that value quality over pure volume.
• Optimize the Crude Sunflower Oil supply chain for two distinct logistics: large bulk shipments and smaller, frequent consignments. This maximizes efficiency for both your dominant volume trade and agile, higher-margin spot market sales.
• Continuously monitor shipment data to screen for pricing anomalies and potential market manipulation. This protects the integrity of your Argentina Crude Sunflower Oil export pricing strategy and ensures you are competing on accurate market rates.

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 January?

The stable export environment is driven by post-harvest inventory carryover from late 2024, with balanced global demand and supply. The consistent pricing reflects steady market activity, supported by favorable conditions like currency exchange rates.

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

The United Arab Emirates leads with 18.5% of export value, followed by India, Colombia, and Peru, which collectively account for over 65% of export weight. Malaysia also stands out with high shipment frequency (20.35%) despite a smaller weight share (5.96%).

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

The price difference stems from product grade variations. Bulk crude oil trades at $2.17 per kg, while higher-grade or slightly refined variants command premiums ($2.60–$2.68 per kg). The UAE’s aligned value and weight shares confirm its bulk commodity focus.

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

Exporters should prioritize long-term contracts with high-volume partners (UAE, India) while optimizing bulk shipping logistics. Simultaneously, they can target premium-grade segments and agile spot-market sales (e.g., Malaysia) for better margins.

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

High-volume buyers (UAE, India) benefit from stable bulk supply, while transactional buyers (Malaysia) gain flexibility for just-in-time demand. Premium-grade buyers must compete for limited higher-quality shipments.

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

It is primarily traded as a bulk commodity for food processing or re-export, with some higher-grade variants likely used in specialized refining or premium food products.