Argentina Crustaceans Export Market -- HS Code 0306 Trade Data & Price Trend (Q3 2025)

Argentina Crustaceans Export (HS 0306) Key Takeaways

Argentina's Crustaceans exports (HS Code 0306) rebounded sharply in Q3 2025, surging to $297.74 million in September after a mid-year collapse, driven by export duty eliminations and seasonal demand. The trade is dominated by frozen, cooked shrimp in shell, accounting for 72.5% of volume, reflecting a high-value, commodity-focused market. Spain commands 42% of exports, with bulk shipments indicating reliance on a single volume market, while China and the U.S. require frequent, smaller deliveries. This analysis covers 2025 Q3 and is based on cleanly processed 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, live, fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, salted, or in brine, including those cooked by steaming or boiling. This product category is critical for global food supply chains, particularly in the seafood and hospitality industries, where demand remains stable due to its versatility and nutritional value. Argentina's crustaceans export under this code is a key component of its seafood trade, catering to both regional and international markets.

Current Context and Strategic Position

Argentina recently eliminated export duties on grains and by-products, including certain goods under HS Code 0306, until October 2025 [KPMG]. This policy shift aims to boost competitiveness and streamline trade flows. Argentina's crustaceans export benefits from this measure, as the country is a significant supplier in the global seafood market. Monitoring hs code 0306 trade data is essential to assess the impact of these changes and identify emerging opportunities. Strategic vigilance is required to navigate this evolving landscape effectively.

Argentina Crustaceans Export (HS 0306) Price Trend

Key Observations

Argentina's crustaceans exports surged in Q3 2025, with values rebounding sharply to $159.28 million in August and $297.74 million in September after hitting zero in July, marking a strong recovery in the hs code 0306 value trend.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The Argentina Crustaceans Export trend declined steadily from a January high of $225.14 million to lows in May and June, before collapsing in July. The sequential growth from August to September suggests a rapid market turnaround, potentially driven by increased export incentives following Argentina's elimination of export duties on certain goods, as reported by [KPMG], which may have spurred late-quarter activity. This aligns with broader economic shifts and possible seasonal demand increases for seafood in key markets.

Argentina Crustaceans Export (HS 0306) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

According to yTrade data for 2025 Q3, Argentina's HS Code 0306 export activities are overwhelmingly dominated by a single product type: frozen, cooked shrimp in shell (HS sub-code 03061710220). This single sub-category accounts for 72.5% of the total export volume and 71% of the total export value, establishing a highly concentrated market structure. The significant disparity between its value share and quantity share suggests this is a specialized, higher-value product form within the broader category.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The remaining export structure is divided into two clear tiers. The first is a group of similar cooked, frozen shrimp products (e.g., 03061790219, 03061790919), which together represent a secondary volume and value segment. The second, much smaller tier consists of various other preparations. This breakdown shows the trade is heavily focused on a specific, processed commodity form (cooked and frozen), indicating a market for bulk, fungible goods rather than highly differentiated finished products.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

This concentrated structure means Argentina's pricing power for its HS Code 0306 exports is largely tied to the global commodity market for frozen, cooked shrimp. Major exporters must compete on cost and volume efficiency for this primary product. The analysis of HS Code 0306 trade data suggests a strategic focus on maintaining quality consistency and supply chain reliability for this key product to defend its dominant market position.

Table: Argentina HS Code 0306) Breakdown Details (Source: yTrade)

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Argentina Crustaceans Export (HS 0306) Destination Countries

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

Spain is the dominant destination for Argentina's Crustaceans exports in Q3 2025, accounting for 42.07% of the total export value and 43.24% of the quantity. The slightly higher quantity share compared to value share suggests that shipments to Spain consist of bulk or lower-grade Crustaceans, rather than premium products. The frequency share of 31.38% is lower than the value share, indicating that exports to Spain are not highly fragmented into small shipments.

Destination Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The top destinations form two main clusters based on trade patterns. The first cluster includes Spain, Italy, and Japan, which together represent over 76% of the export value and quantity. This indicates these countries are major volume markets, likely driven by strong demand for Crustaceans as a food source, possibly for processing or direct consumption in these regions. The second cluster consists of China Mainland and the United States, where frequency shares are higher relative to their value shares—9.95% and 4.41% respectively—suggesting more frequent, smaller shipments. This pattern aligns with the perishable nature of Crustaceans, requiring timely deliveries for fresh retail or food service distribution.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

For Argentina's Crustaceans export strategy, priority should be placed on sustaining bulk shipments to volume markets like Spain, Italy, and Japan, while optimizing supply chain efficiency for high-frequency destinations such as China Mainland and the United States to maintain product freshness. Logistics should focus on reducing transit times and ensuring cold chain integrity to support the demand for fresh Crustaceans. Analyzing HS Code 0306 trade data shows no immediate policy shifts from the provided news, as it pertains to grains, not Crustaceans.

Table: Argentina Crustaceans (HS 0306) Top Destination Countries (Source: yTrade)

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Action Plan for Crustaceans Market Operation and Expansion

• Prioritize quality control for frozen cooked shrimp exports using detailed hs code 0306 trade data to monitor product specifications, because maintaining consistent high grade is essential for defending Argentina's dominant market share in this key commodity.
• Optimize bulk shipping routes to Spain, Italy, and Japan by analyzing shipment frequency and volume data, as these high-volume markets form the core revenue base for the Argentina Crustaceans Export sector and require cost-efficient logistics.
• Enhance the Crustaceans supply chain for high-frequency buyers in China and the US by implementing faster, more reliable cold-chain logistics, to ensure product freshness and meet demand for smaller, frequent shipments in these key markets.
• Diversify export products within the HS Code 0306 category by tracking emerging demand trends in the hs code 0306 trade data, reducing over-reliance on a single product type and strengthening long-term market resilience for Argentina Crustaceans Export.

Take Action Now —— Explore Argentina Crustaceans Export Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Argentina Crustaceans Export 2025 Q3?

Argentina's Crustaceans exports rebounded sharply in August and September 2025 after a July collapse, likely due to export duty eliminations and seasonal demand surges in key markets.

Q2. Who are the main destination countries of Argentina Crustaceans (HS Code 0306) 2025 Q3?

Spain dominates with 42.07% of export value, followed by Italy and Japan, which together account for over 76% of total shipments.

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

Price differences stem from Argentina's heavy focus on frozen, cooked shrimp (72.5% of volume), with Spain receiving bulk shipments while China and the U.S. get smaller, fresher consignments.

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

Exporters should prioritize maintaining quality and cold-chain efficiency for bulk shipments to Spain, Italy, and Japan, while optimizing logistics for frequent, smaller deliveries to China and the U.S.

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

Buyers in Spain can rely on consistent bulk supply, while those in China and the U.S. benefit from fresher, more frequent shipments tailored to retail or food service needs.

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

Argentina’s exports are primarily processed frozen shrimp (cooked and in-shell), used as bulk commodity inputs for food processing or direct consumption.

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