Argentina Fresh Cheese Export Market -- HS Code 040610 Trade Data & Price Trend (Mar 2025)

Argentina Fresh Cheese Export (HS 040610) Key Takeaways

Argentina's Fresh Cheese exports under HS Code 040610 in March 2025 were dominated by premium-grade products, with over 98% of value concentrated in high-value fresh cheese at $10.19/kg. Export trends showed rising unit prices ($9.98/kg) despite softening volumes, signaling a strategic shift toward higher-margin segments. Brazil accounted for 60% of shipments, indicating heavy geographic reliance, while high-yield markets like Saudi Arabia offered untapped potential. This analysis, based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database, covers March 2025.

Argentina Fresh Cheese Export (HS 040610) Background

What is HS Code 040610?

HS Code 040610 refers to fresh (unripened) cheese, a dairy product widely used in food service, retail, and food manufacturing industries. Its global demand remains stable due to its versatility in culinary applications, from direct consumption to ingredient use in processed foods. The product’s perishable nature and short shelf life make logistics and trade timing critical factors for exporters.

Current Context and Strategic Position

While no specific trade policy changes have been announced recently, Argentina’s Fresh Cheese Export sector operates in a competitive global dairy market influenced by fluctuating commodity prices and shifting consumer preferences. Argentina’s strategic significance in this trade flow stems from its robust dairy industry and cost-competitive production, positioning it as a key supplier to regional and international markets. Monitoring hs code 040610 trade data is essential to navigate potential supply chain disruptions and capitalize on emerging opportunities. Vigilance remains crucial for stakeholders to maintain Argentina’s competitive edge in fresh cheese exports.

Argentina Fresh Cheese Export (HS 040610) Price Trend

Key Observations

Argentina's Fresh Cheese exports for March 2025 reached a total value of $42.51 million USD. This performance represents a slight sequential softening from the previous month, though the overall hs code 040610 value trend for the first quarter remained robust.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The Argentina Fresh Cheese Export trend in early 2025 was characterized by a notable shift toward higher unit prices, which climbed from $8.75/kg in January to $9.98/kg by March. This upward pricing momentum helped cushion a sequential decline in export volumes over the quarter. The reduction in volume may reflect tighter milk availability or a strategic industry pivot toward higher-value export segments. In the absence of specific trade developments, this dynamic is likely influenced by domestic supply factors and competitive positioning in key international markets.

Argentina Fresh Cheese Export (HS 040610) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

According to yTrade data for March 2025, Argentina's export of fresh cheese under HS Code 040610 is heavily concentrated in a high-value sub-category, specifically 'Dairy produce; fresh cheese (including whey cheese), not fermented, and curd' with a unit price of 10.19 USD per kilogram. This sub-code represents over 98% of the total export value, indicating a strong focus on premium, specialized products. Two minor sub-codes with undefined prices and insignificant volumes are isolated as anomalies and excluded from the main analysis.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The non-anomalous sub-codes fall into distinct price-based categories: premium grades with unit prices around 7-8 USD per kilogram, standard grades at 4-5 USD per kilogram, and economy grades below 4 USD per kilogram. This tiered structure, revealed in HS Code 040610 trade data, points to a market for differentiated, value-added goods rather than fungible bulk commodities, with variations likely tied to quality or processing stages.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

Exporters under Argentina's HS Code 040610 export regime can leverage pricing power in the premium segments, where higher margins are achievable. Strategic efforts should prioritize quality control and branding for these high-value products, while the lower-priced categories may require cost-efficient production to remain competitive in volume-driven markets.

Check Detailed HS Code 040610 Breakdown

Argentina Fresh Cheese Export (HS 040610) Destination Countries

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

Brazil is the dominant destination for Argentina's Fresh Cheese exports in March 2025, accounting for over 60% of both value and weight shares. The value share (61.86%) is slightly lower than the weight share (62.78%), suggesting that shipments to Brazil lean towards bulk or standard varieties rather than premium products. The high frequency share (43.92%) indicates regular, frequent shipments, which is essential for maintaining freshness in cheese exports.

Destination Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The export partners for Argentina's Fresh Cheese can be grouped into clusters based on trade profiles. Brazil forms a volume cluster due to its dominant share in both value and weight, likely driven by geographic proximity and strong trade ties for perishable goods. A high-yield cluster includes Saudi Arabia, China Taiwan, and Vietnam, where value shares slightly exceed weight shares, pointing to potential demand for higher-margin or specialty cheese varieties. Chile and Paraguay represent a transactional cluster with high frequency shares relative to value, indicating frequent, smaller shipments that may support retail or direct consumption markets.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Argentina should focus on maintaining its volume exports to Brazil while exploring opportunities in high-margin markets like Saudi Arabia to increase profitability. Optimizing logistics for frequent shipments to transactional partners such as Chile and Paraguay can reduce costs and ensure timely delivery for Fresh Cheese under HS Code 040610. Enhancing cold chain infrastructure will be key to supporting these strategies and sustaining export growth.

Table: Argentina Fresh Cheese (HS 040610) Top Destination Countries (Source: yTrade)

Get Complete Destination Countries Profile

Action Plan for Fresh Cheese Market Operation and Expansion

• Target premium markets like Saudi Arabia using HS Code 040610 trade data to identify buyers paying above-average prices, because this directly increases profit margins for the Argentina Fresh Cheese Export.
• Optimize logistics for high-frequency shipments to Chile and Paraguay by analyzing delivery timelines, as this reduces spoilage risk and costs in the Fresh Cheese supply chain.
• Maintain volume exports to Brazil by monitoring shipment frequency and size, ensuring stable revenue from this dominant market for Argentina's Fresh Cheese Export.
• Invest in cold chain infrastructure to support longer shipments to high-value markets, securing product quality and expanding geographic reach for HS Code 040610 trade.

Take Action Now —— Explore Argentina Fresh Cheese Export Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Argentina Fresh Cheese Export 2025 March?

Argentina's Fresh Cheese exports in March 2025 saw a shift toward higher unit prices (up to $9.98/kg), offsetting a sequential volume decline. This reflects a strategic pivot toward premium segments and potential domestic supply constraints.

Q2. Who are the main destination countries of Argentina Fresh Cheese (HS Code 040610) 2025 March?

Brazil dominates as the top destination, accounting for 61.86% of export value and 62.78% of weight. Secondary markets include Saudi Arabia, China Taiwan, and Vietnam, which show higher-margin potential.

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

Price differences stem from product specialization, with premium grades (7-8 USD/kg) shipped to high-yield markets like Saudi Arabia, while Brazil receives bulk-standard varieties (4-5 USD/kg).

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

Exporters should prioritize quality control and branding for premium segments (e.g., Saudi Arabia) while optimizing logistics for frequent, smaller shipments to transactional markets like Chile and Paraguay.

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

Brazilian buyers benefit from stable, bulk supply, while high-yield markets (e.g., Saudi Arabia) gain access to specialty cheeses. Frequent shipments to Chile/Paraguay ensure retail-ready freshness.

Q6. How is Fresh Cheese typically used in this trade flow?

Fresh Cheese (HS Code 040610) is primarily exported as a perishable consumer good, with trade patterns emphasizing rapid delivery to maintain quality, especially for retail and direct consumption markets.