Argentina Frozen Cuttlefish Export Market -- HS Code 030743 Trade Data & Price Trend (May 2025)

Argentina Frozen Cuttlefish Export (HS 030743) Key Takeaways

Argentina's Frozen Cuttlefish exports under HS Code 030743 in May 2025 reveal a market dominated by bulk frozen product grades, with a sharp 97.51 million USD drop signaling volatile demand. China commands 70% of export value, highlighting high geographic concentration risk, while Spain emerges as a premium niche with higher unit prices. The data shows strong supplier pricing power, driven by a 93% product concentration in a single sub-code. This analysis covers May 2025 and is based on processed Customs data from the yTrade database.

Argentina Frozen Cuttlefish Export (HS 030743) Background

What is HS Code 030743?

HS Code 030743 refers to Cuttlefish and squid, frozen, a seafood product primarily used in food processing, retail, and hospitality industries. Its global demand remains stable due to its versatility in culinary applications and longer shelf life compared to fresh alternatives. This product is particularly significant in markets with high consumption of seafood, such as Asia and Europe.

Current Context and Strategic Position

Argentina recently reformed its food import and export regulations, streamlining processes for products like frozen cuttlefish under its new "high sanitary standards" framework [FAS USDA]. This policy shift enhances Argentina's competitiveness in the global seafood trade, particularly for Frozen Cuttlefish Export from Argentina. The country's strategic access to abundant marine resources positions it as a key supplier in the hs code 030743 trade data landscape. Market vigilance is critical to capitalize on these regulatory improvements and sustain growth in 2025.

Argentina Frozen Cuttlefish Export (HS 030743) Price Trend

Key Observations

In May 2025, Argentina's Frozen Cuttlefish exports reached a value of 97.51 million USD, based on the latest data. This figure reflects the ongoing activity in the hs code 030743 value trend for the period.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The Argentina Frozen Cuttlefish Export trend showed significant volatility in the first half of 2025, with values rising from 465.58 million USD in January to 586.68 million USD in February, before dropping to 349.86 million USD in March and recovering to 526.51 million USD in April. This fluctuation may be partly attributed to regulatory changes, such as those implemented in February 2025, which simplified trade procedures and could have temporarily boosted export volumes early in the year [[Less Paperwork More Trade

• Argentina Revamps Food Import Rules](https://www.fas.usda.gov/data/argentina-less-paperwork-more-trade-argentina-revamps-food-import-rules)]. The sharp decline in May's value to 97.51 million USD suggests a potential shift in market dynamics, possibly influenced by seasonal demand cycles or global supply adjustments common in the frozen seafood industry. Overall, the hs code 030743 value trend indicates a responsive market to both policy and macroeconomic factors.

Argentina Frozen Cuttlefish Export (HS 030743) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

According to yTrade data, Argentina's export of frozen cuttlefish under HS Code 030743 in May 2025 is heavily concentrated in sub-code 03074310110, which covers molluscs; cuttle fish and squid, frozen. This sub-code represents over 93% of the total export value and quantity, showing a market dominated by a single product form. Unit prices for most exports range from 2.7 to 4.0 USD per kilogram, but sub-code 03074310140 is an outlier with a price of approximately 24.4 USD per kilogram, isolated due to its very low volume.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The non-anomalous sub-codes fall into two groups: lower-priced bulk exports around 2.7 USD per kilogram and higher-priced variants around 4.0 USD per kilogram, all sharing the same frozen product description. This split indicates a trade in slightly differentiated grades rather than fully manufactured goods, with pricing influenced by quality factors like size or preparation, not commodity indices.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

The high concentration in Argentina's HS Code 030743 export gives dominant suppliers strong pricing control for the bulk product. To enhance competitiveness, exporters should focus on quality assurance and targeting niche markets for higher-value grades, as suggested by the price variations in HS Code 030743 trade data.

Check Detailed HS Code 030743 Breakdown

Argentina Frozen Cuttlefish Export (HS 030743) Destination Countries

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

China Mainland is the dominant destination for Argentina's Frozen Cuttlefish exports in May 2025, holding a 70.09% value share and 72.44% quantity share. The slightly higher quantity share compared to value share points to trade in bulk or lower-grade versions of Frozen Cuttlefish. The frequency share of 49.23% is lower than the value share, indicating fewer but larger shipments, which is common for commodity seafood exports.

Destination Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The export partners group into three clusters based on share profiles. China forms a Volume Cluster due to its high volume and value shares, serving as a major processing or consumption hub for Frozen Cuttlefish. Spain represents a High-Yield Cluster with a value share (6.29%) exceeding its quantity share (4.66%), suggesting demand for premium or higher-quality products. Thailand and Vietnam make up a Transactional Cluster, with frequency shares (19.64% and 4.85%) disproportionately high relative to value, implying frequent, smaller shipments likely for retail or fresh food supply chains.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Argentina should focus on high-margin markets like Spain to increase value per unit and optimize logistics for bulk buyers like China to reduce costs. The regulatory changes easing food trade paperwork, as reported by FAS USDA [FAS USDA], may support higher shipment frequency, benefiting transactional clusters. This aligns with strategies to enhance Argentina Frozen Cuttlefish export efficiency under HS Code 030743 trade dynamics.

Table: Argentina Frozen Cuttlefish (HS 030743) Top Destination Countries (Source: yTrade)

Get Complete Destination Countries Profile

Action Plan for Frozen Cuttlefish Market Operation and Expansion

• Target premium markets like Spain using hs code 030743 trade data to identify buyers paying above-average prices. This increases profit margins per kilogram for Argentina Frozen Cuttlefish Export by focusing on quality-driven demand.
• Optimize the Frozen Cuttlefish supply chain for bulk shipments to China by negotiating consolidated freight rates. This reduces per-unit logistics costs for high-volume exports, protecting competitiveness.
• Segment product offerings into standard and premium grades based on the price clusters in the trade data. This allows Argentina's exporters to capture value from both bulk and niche markets, maximizing overall revenue.
• Leverage regulatory simplifications to increase shipment frequency to transactional clusters like Thailand and Vietnam. This builds stronger relationships with buyers who prefer smaller, more frequent orders, securing stable demand.
• Monitor unit price trends within the hs code 030743 trade data monthly to quickly adjust offers for different destinations. This ensures pricing remains aligned with real-time market shifts and grade preferences, avoiding revenue loss.

Take Action Now —— Explore Argentina Frozen Cuttlefish Export Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Argentina Frozen Cuttlefish Export 2025 May?

The sharp decline in May 2025 to 97.51 million USD reflects market volatility, likely influenced by seasonal demand cycles or global supply adjustments. Regulatory changes earlier in the year temporarily boosted volumes but did not sustain the trend.

Q2. Who are the main destination countries of Argentina Frozen Cuttlefish (HS Code 030743) 2025 May?

China Mainland dominates with 70.09% of the export value, followed by Spain (6.29%) and Thailand/Vietnam in smaller transactional clusters.

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

Prices vary due to product grades: bulk exports average 2.7–4.0 USD/kg, while a rare sub-code (03074310140) reaches 24.4 USD/kg. Spain’s higher value share suggests demand for premium grades.

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

Exporters should target high-margin markets like Spain for premium grades and optimize bulk logistics for China. Quality assurance and niche market expansion can enhance competitiveness.

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

Buyers in China benefit from bulk pricing, while Spain’s market offers higher-quality products. Transactional clusters (Thailand/Vietnam) enable frequent, smaller shipments for retail supply chains.

Q6. How is Frozen Cuttlefish typically used in this trade flow?

Frozen cuttlefish is primarily traded as a commodity, with bulk shipments for processing or retail, and differentiated grades catering to premium or niche markets.