Argentina Crustaceans Export Market -- HS Code 0306 Trade Data & Price Trend (Q1 2025)
Argentina Crustaceans Export (HS 0306) Key Takeaways
Argentina's Crustaceans exports under HS Code 0306 in Q1 2025 reveal a high-value, differentiated product mix, with premium-grade shrimps commanding prices up to $19/kg, while bulk shipments to China and Spain dominate volume. Unit prices rose to $12.71/kg despite a sharp volume decline, signaling tight supply and resilient demand. China leads as the top destination (23.08% share), but the U.S. offers higher margins for processed goods. This analysis is based on verified Q1 2025 Customs data from the yTrade database.
Argentina Crustaceans Export (HS 0306) Background
What is HS Code 0306?
HS Code 0306 covers crustaceans, whether in shell or not, including live, fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, salted, or in brine, as well as crustaceans in shell cooked by steaming or boiling. This product category is a staple in global seafood trade, driven by demand from foodservice, retail, and processing industries due to its versatility and nutritional value. Stable global consumption underscores its significance in international markets.
Current Context and Strategic Position
While no specific trade policy updates have been announced, Argentina's crustaceans export sector remains sensitive to broader macroeconomic trends, such as fluctuating commodity prices and shifting consumer preferences in key markets. Argentina's strategic position as a supplier of high-quality crustaceans is bolstered by its access to fertile fishing grounds and established trade relationships. Monitoring hs code 0306 trade data is critical to navigating potential disruptions and capitalizing on emerging opportunities in this dynamic market. Vigilance is essential to maintain competitiveness in Argentina's crustaceans export flow.
Argentina Crustaceans Export (HS 0306) Price Trend
Key Observations
Argentina's crustacean exports (HS code 0306) reached a total value of $526.92 million USD in Q1 2025, though this was driven by a significant decline in shipment volumes. The quarter was characterized by rising unit prices, which climbed from $12.45/kg in January to $12.71/kg by March, even as export weight fell sharply.
Price and Volume Dynamics
The Argentina Crustaceans Export trend showed a clear sequential shift between January and March. While January opened strongly with over 18 million kg shipped, volume fell by 22% in February and a further 32% in March. This contraction in volume occurred alongside firming prices, suggesting that supply tightened—possibly due to seasonal fishing patterns or quota adjustments—while international demand remained resilient. The hs code 0306 value trend reflects this high-value, lower-volume dynamic, likely influenced by reduced catch rates in the early part of the year and sustained interest from key import markets.
Argentina Crustaceans Export (HS 0306) HS Code Breakdown
Product Specialization and Concentration
According to yTrade data, Argentina's export of HS Code 0306 in Q1 2025 is heavily concentrated in frozen, cooked shrimps and prawns in shell, specifically under sub-code 03061790219, which accounts for the largest share by value. This product, with a unit price of 12.33 USD per kilogram, represents a mid-range specialty within the market. An anomaly is present with frozen crabs under sub-code 03061400929, which has a significantly higher unit price of 41.37 USD per kilogram and is isolated from the main analysis due to its distinct product type.
Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis
The remaining sub-codes for shrimps and prawns can be grouped into two categories based on quality grade: higher-grade products with unit prices ranging from 15 to 19 USD per kilogram, indicating more premium preparations, and standard-grade products with prices between 10 and 12 USD per kilogram. This variation in unit prices suggests that Argentina's HS Code 0306 exports are not fungible bulk commodities but rather differentiated goods, where value is tied to specific quality attributes and processing stages.
Strategic Implication and Pricing Power
This structure implies that producers have pricing power for higher-grade shrimps, allowing Argentina to focus on maximizing returns from premium segments. Strategic efforts should prioritize quality control and marketing for differentiated products to enhance competitiveness in global markets for HS Code 0306 trade data.
Table: Argentina HS Code 0306) Breakdown Details (Source: yTrade)
| HS Code | Product Description | Value | Frequency | Quantity | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 030617***** | Crustaceans; frozen, shrimps and prawns, excluding cold-water varieties, in shell or not, smoked, cooked or not before or during smoking; in shell, cooked by steaming or by boiling in water | 203.18M | 1.03K | 28.97M | 16.48M |
| 030617***** | Crustaceans; frozen, shrimps and prawns, excluding cold-water varieties, in shell or not, smoked, cooked or not before or during smoking; in shell, cooked by steaming or by boiling in water | 130.64M | 902.00 | 20.41M | 11.01M |
| 030617***** | Crustaceans; frozen, shrimps and prawns, excluding cold-water varieties, in shell or not, smoked, cooked or not before or during smoking; in shell, cooked by steaming or by boiling in water | 88.22M | 764.00 | 17.82M | 8.30M |
| 0306** | ******** | ******** | ******** | ******** | ******** |
Check Detailed HS Code 0306 Breakdown
Argentina Crustaceans Export (HS 0306) Destination Countries
Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role
In Q1 2025, China Mainland was the dominant destination for Argentina's Crustaceans exports, holding a 23.08% share of total export value. China's value share closely matches its weight share of 23.66%, indicating trade in bulk, raw Crustaceans without significant premium pricing. Spain follows with an 18.94% value share but a higher frequency of shipments at 21.18%, suggesting more frequent, possibly smaller consignments typical for fresh seafood logistics. The United States shows a value share of 11.37% exceeding its weight share of 6.58%, pointing to demand for higher-grade or processed variants of Crustaceans from Argentina.
Destination Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes
The top destinations form two main clusters based on trade patterns. The Volume/Hub Cluster includes China, Spain, Peru, and Thailand, where weight shares are high (21.07% to 23.66%), indicating bulk purchases likely for mass consumption or processing hubs. Spain's notably high frequency share (21.18%) within this cluster suggests it serves as a key node for fresh Crustaceans, requiring rapid supply chain turnover due to perishability. The High-Yield Cluster is led by the United States, where the value share outweighs weight share, reflecting imports of premium, value-added Crustaceans products from Argentina.
Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications
For Argentina's Crustaceans export strategy, prioritizing the US market could capture higher margins through sales of processed or premium products. Streamlining logistics for bulk buyers in China and Spain is crucial, especially enhancing cold chain efficiency for Spain's high-frequency fresh trade. No specific trade news influences this outlook for Q1 2025. Overall, Argentina's Crustaceans shipments, under HS Code 0306, should balance focus on value-added markets while maintaining robust supply chains for volume destinations.
Table: Argentina Crustaceans (HS 0306) Top Destination Countries (Source: yTrade)
| Country | Value | Quantity | Frequency | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHINA MAINLAND | 121.64M | 17.60M | 534.00 | 9.92M |
| SPAIN | 99.79M | 17.39M | 733.00 | 8.84M |
| UNITED STATES | 59.90M | 4.77M | 379.00 | 2.76M |
| PERU | 54.17M | 7.95M | 354.00 | 4.36M |
| THAILAND | 39.34M | 5.87M | 229.00 | 3.19M |
| RUSSIA | ****** | ****** | ****** | ****** |
Get Complete Destination Countries Profile
Action Plan for Crustaceans Market Operation and Expansion
- Target the US market with premium products using hs code 0306 trade data to identify high-value sub-codes, because this maximizes margins for Argentina Crustaceans Export.
- Optimize the Crustaceans supply chain for Spain with faster cold logistics, as high shipment frequency requires reliable perishable goods handling.
- Promote higher-grade shrimp products to buyers in premium markets, since unit price data shows strong pricing power for quality-differentiated goods.
- Monitor trade flows for China and other volume hubs to anticipate bulk demand shifts, ensuring stable Argentina Crustaceans Export volumes.
- Leverage hs code 0306 trade data to track competitor pricing and sub-code trends, enabling proactive adjustments to export mix and contract terms.
Take Action Now —— Explore Argentina Crustaceans Export Data
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Argentina Crustaceans Export 2025 Q1?
Argentina's Crustaceans exports in Q1 2025 saw rising unit prices (from $12.45/kg to $12.71/kg) alongside a sharp decline in shipment volumes, likely due to supply tightening from seasonal fishing patterns or quotas, while demand remained resilient.
Q2. Who are the main destination countries of Argentina Crustaceans (HS Code 0306) 2025 Q1?
China (23.08% value share), Spain (18.94%), and the U.S. (11.37%) were the top destinations, with China and Spain handling bulk shipments and the U.S. importing higher-grade products.
Q3. Why does the unit price differ across destination countries of Argentina Crustaceans Export?
Prices vary due to product differentiation: higher-grade shrimps (15–19 USD/kg) target premium markets like the U.S., while standard-grade (10–12 USD/kg) dominate bulk destinations like China.
Q4. What should exporters in Argentina focus on in the current Crustaceans export market?
Exporters should prioritize premium segments (e.g., the U.S.) for higher margins while optimizing logistics for bulk buyers (China, Spain), especially cold chains for Spain’s high-frequency fresh trade.
Q5. What does this Argentina Crustaceans export pattern mean for buyers in partner countries?
U.S. buyers access premium products, while China and Spain secure bulk volumes. Spain’s high shipment frequency indicates a need for rapid perishable goods turnover.
Q6. How is Crustaceans typically used in this trade flow?
Argentina’s exports include frozen, cooked shrimps/prawns (mid-range) and premium-grade variants, with bulk shipments for mass consumption/processing and premium products for niche markets.
Detailed Monthly Report
Argentina Crustaceans Export Market -- HS Code 0306 Trade Data & Price Trend (May 2025)
Argentina's Crustaceans (HS Code 0306) exports fell to $38.05M in May 2025, with Peru as top buyer for bulk shipments while U.S./U.K. paid premium for cooked varieties, per yTrade data.
Argentina Crustaceans Export Market -- HS Code 0306 Trade Data & Price Trend (Q2 2025)
Argentina's Crustaceans (HS Code 0306) Export fell sharply to $73.4M in Q2 2025, with China buying premium grades and Spain bulk shipments, per yTrade data. Exporters must focus on high-value segments.
