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

Argentina Crude Sunflower Oil Export (HS 151211) Key Takeaways

Argentina's Crude Sunflower Oil exports under HS code 151211 surged to $297.9 million in March 2025, with prices stabilizing at $2.24/kg, reflecting strong post-harvest momentum. The trade is dominated by bulk, undifferentiated shipments, with India and Iraq accounting for over 50% of exports, highlighting high geographic concentration. A single sub-category (crude, unmodified oil) drives 90% of volume, reinforcing its commodity nature and limited pricing power. This analysis, covering March 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 globally traded agricultural commodity. It is primarily used in food processing, cooking oil production, and biofuel manufacturing, driven by consistent demand for edible oils and renewable energy sources. The product's trade volume is significant due to its versatility and widespread industrial applications.

Current Context and Strategic Position

On February 6, 2025, Argentina introduced Resolución 237/2024, modifying quality and security certification requirements for imports, which could indirectly impact Crude Sunflower Oil Export from Argentina by altering compliance workflows [Expeditors]. Argentina is a key player in hs code 151211 trade data, ranking among the top global exporters of crude sunflower oil due to its robust agricultural sector. Market participants should monitor these regulatory shifts closely, as they may influence export logistics and competitiveness. Vigilance is essential to navigate potential disruptions in this strategically vital trade flow.

Argentina Crude Sunflower Oil Export (HS 151211) Price Trend

Key Observations

In March 2025, Argentina's Crude Sunflower Oil exports under HS code 151211 reached 297.90 million USD, with a unit price of 2.24 USD per kilogram, reflecting a strong performance in both value and volume terms. This represents a continuation of the upward trend observed in the first quarter.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The Argentina Crude Sunflower Oil Export trend showed significant momentum from January to March 2025, with export value surging from 72.87 million USD in January to 264.60 million in February, before a more modest rise to 297.90 million in March. Unit prices dipped slightly in February to 2.17 USD/kg but recovered in March, aligning with typical post-harvest export cycles where increased supply often leads to price adjustments. The policy change in February regarding import certifications [Info.Expeditors] may have indirectly tightened domestic supply chains, supporting export volumes and price stability during this period. This hs code 151211 value trend underscores Argentina's role as a key player in global sunflower oil markets, driven by seasonal production peaks.

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

Product Specialization and Concentration

In March 2025, Argentina's export under HS Code 151211 for Crude Sunflower Oil is dominated by a single sub-category, which accounts for over 90% of the value and weight. According to yTrade data, the sub-code for crude sunflower oil not chemically modified is the primary driver, with a unit price of 2.22 US dollars per kilogram. Minor sub-codes with significantly lower quantities and values, such as those with unit prices around 2.00 or 1.94 US dollars per kilogram, are isolated as anomalies due to their negligible market share.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The non-anomalous sub-codes fall into two groups based on unit price: the main bulk at 2.22 US dollars per kilogram and a smaller segment at 2.46 US dollars per kilogram, suggesting slight variations in quality or processing standards. This structure indicates a trade in fungible bulk commodities, where products are largely undifferentiated and prices are closely tied to global market indices rather than brand or specific attributes.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

For market players, the HS Code 151211 trade data reveals limited pricing power due to the commodity nature of these exports. Strategic focus should be on achieving cost efficiencies and scaling volume to compete effectively in price-sensitive markets, rather than attempting product differentiation.

Check Detailed HS Code 151211 Breakdown

Argentina Crude Sunflower Oil Export (HS 151211) Destination Countries

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

In March 2025, Argentina's Crude Sunflower Oil exports were highly concentrated, with INDIA as the dominant destination, accounting for 28.36% of the export value. INDIA also held a 28.81% share by weight, indicating a balanced trade where value and volume align closely. This suggests bulk shipments of standard-grade oil, with a unit price around 2.20 USD per kilogram. IRAQ followed with a 25.00% value share and similar weight share, reinforcing the pattern of major bulk buyers driving the market for HS Code 151211.

Destination Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The export destinations form three clusters based on trade patterns. First, the Volume Leaders cluster includes INDIA and IRAQ, with high weight and value shares, pointing to large-scale bulk purchases likely for domestic consumption or processing. Second, the High-Value Niche cluster features AUSTRALIA, where the value share slightly exceeds weight share, indicating potential demand for higher-quality or specialized oil variants. Third, the Frequent Traders cluster includes BRAZIL, which has a high frequency share relative to value, suggesting regular, smaller shipments possibly due to logistical proximity or ongoing trade agreements. Other countries like UNITED ARAB EMIRATES and GUINEA show consistent but smaller roles.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

To enhance Argentina's Crude Sunflower Oil export performance, focus on securing bulk contracts with Volume Leaders like INDIA and IRAQ while optimizing shipping efficiency. For higher margins, target premium markets in the High-Value Niche such as AUSTRALIA. Improve supply chain flexibility to handle frequent, smaller shipments to BRAZIL and similar partners. The news about Argentina's import certification changes does not directly impact these export patterns, so it is not factored into this analysis.

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

• Secure long-term bulk contracts with high-volume buyers like India and Iraq, as the hs code 151211 trade data shows they dominate Argentina's Crude Sunflower Oil export; this ensures stable revenue and optimizes production planning.
• Target premium markets like Australia by highlighting quality certifications to command higher margins; the hs code 151211 trade data reveals a niche segment willing to pay more, boosting profitability for the Crude Sunflower Oil supply chain.
• Optimize logistics for frequent, smaller shipments to partners like Brazil; this flexibility reduces port congestion and storage costs, making the Crude Sunflower Oil supply chain more responsive to diverse buyer needs.
• Monitor sub-code unit prices in the hs code 151211 trade data to quickly identify quality or processing shifts; this allows real-time pricing adjustments to protect Argentina Crude Sunflower Oil export competitiveness.

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 March?

Argentina's Crude Sunflower Oil exports surged in March 2025, reaching 297.90 million USD, driven by seasonal production peaks and post-harvest export cycles. A slight price dip in February recovered in March, supported by stable supply chains and strong demand from bulk buyers like India and Iraq.

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

India (28.36% of export value) and Iraq (25.00%) dominate as bulk buyers, while Australia represents a high-value niche market with slightly higher unit prices.

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

Price differences stem from slight quality variations, with most exports priced at 2.22 USD/kg (bulk commodity) and a smaller segment at 2.46 USD/kg (potentially higher-grade oil).

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

Exporters should prioritize cost-efficient bulk contracts with India and Iraq while targeting premium markets like Australia for higher margins. Supply chain flexibility is key for frequent smaller shipments to Brazil.

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

Bulk buyers (e.g., India, Iraq) benefit from stable, large-scale supply, while niche markets (e.g., Australia) access higher-quality variants. Frequent traders like Brazil enjoy reliable, smaller shipments.

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

It is primarily traded as a fungible bulk commodity for domestic consumption, food processing, or industrial use, with minimal product differentiation.