Argentina Frozen Shrimps Export Market -- HS Code 030617 Trade Data & Price Trend (Feb 2025)

Argentina Frozen Shrimps Export (HS 030617) Key Takeaways

Argentina's Frozen Shrimps Export under HS Code 030617 in February 2025 reveals a product mix split between high-value cooked variants (18-19 USD/kg) and standard frozen shrimps (9-12 USD/kg), with Spain paying premiums for processed grades while China dominates bulk volumes. Exports declined 20.9% in value month-over-month despite a slight price uptick, likely due to regulatory shifts. The market is geographically concentrated, with Spain, the U.S., and Italy driving premium demand, and China acting as a volume hub. This analysis is based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database for February 2025.

Argentina Frozen Shrimps Export (HS 030617) Background

What is HS Code 030617?

HS Code 030617 refers to shrimps and prawns, frozen, whether in shell or not, and includes smoked or cooked varieties. This product is a staple in global seafood trade, driven by demand from food service, retail, and processing industries due to its versatility and long shelf life. The frozen shrimp market remains significant, with stable demand underpinned by consumer preferences for convenient, protein-rich seafood options.

Current Context and Strategic Position

Argentina recently reformed its food import and export regulations, streamlining processes for products like frozen shrimp under HS Code 030617 [FAS USDA]. These changes aim to reduce trade barriers, particularly for exports to countries with high sanitary standards, positioning Argentina's frozen shrimp exports for potential growth. As a key player in the global seafood trade, Argentina's strategic focus on simplifying export procedures underscores its commitment to expanding market access. Monitoring hs code 030617 trade data is critical to assess the impact of these reforms on Argentina's frozen shrimp exports and identify emerging opportunities.

Argentina Frozen Shrimps Export (HS 030617) Price Trend

Key Observations

In February 2025, Argentina's frozen shrimp exports under hs code 030617 were valued at 171.33 million USD, with a unit price of 12.28 USD per kg. This represents a decrease in total value compared to January, despite a slight increase in price.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The Argentina Frozen Shrimps Export trend showed a decline in both value and volume from January to February 2025, with value dropping by approximately 20.9% and weight by 21.8%, while unit price edged up by 1.2%. This movement aligns with the regulatory changes introduced in early February, as Argentina revamped its food import and export rules to reduce paperwork and facilitate trade, potentially causing short-term disruptions or shifts in export volumes [FAS USDA]. The hs code 030617 value trend suggests a possible focus on higher-value products or adjustments due to new sanitary standards, reflecting typical industry responses to policy updates.

Argentina Frozen Shrimps Export (HS 030617) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

According to yTrade data for February 2025, Argentina's export of Frozen Shrimps under HS Code 030617 is heavily concentrated in a high-volume sub-code for frozen, cooked shrimps in shell, which accounts for over 40% of the total export value and weight. This dominant product has a unit price of 12.58 USD per kilogram, indicating a mid-range specialization compared to other variants. Two low-volume sub-codes with unit prices below 1 USD per kilogram are isolated as anomalies and excluded from the main analysis due to their insignificant impact.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The remaining sub-codes can be grouped into two clear categories based on unit price and processing: high-value cooked shrimps with unit prices around 18-19 USD per kilogram, and standard frozen shrimps with unit prices around 9-12 USD per kilogram. This structure shows a mix of differentiated products rather than fungible bulk commodities, as the price variations suggest different grades and value-add stages, such as cooking methods or shell presence.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

This analysis of HS Code 030617 trade data implies that exporters have stronger pricing power with higher-value, processed shrimps. For market players, focusing on producing and marketing the cooked, higher-grade variants could maximize returns, while the standard frozen products may face more competitive pricing pressures in Argentina's export activities.

Check Detailed HS Code 030617 Breakdown

Argentina Frozen Shrimps Export (HS 030617) Destination Countries

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

Spain is the dominant buyer of Argentina's Frozen Shrimps exports for February 2025, accounting for 21.09% of all shipments and 17.31% of the total value. However, China Mainland is the largest volume buyer, taking 23.01% of the total weight. The key disparity shows Spain pays a premium; its value share is 3.38 percentage points lower than its frequency share, indicating a focus on higher-grade or processed Frozen Shrimps. In contrast, China's value share (23.27%) is nearly identical to its massive weight share (24.07%), confirming its role as a bulk buyer of lower-priced product.

Destination Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The data reveals three clear clusters. The High-Yield Cluster includes Spain, the United States, and Italy, where value shares are significantly higher than their weight shares, pointing to demand for premium, value-added shrimp. The Volume/Hub Cluster is led by China Mainland, Peru, and Russia; their high weight shares signify these are bulk processing or redistribution centers for raw material. Finally, a Transactional Cluster includes Spain (again) and Thailand, characterized by very high shipment frequency relative to value, which suggests a supply chain built on frequent, smaller shipments to meet fresh food market demands.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Argentina's export strategy should prioritize capturing value in high-margin European and North American markets while optimizing its bulk supply chain for major Asian buyers. For the High-Yield Cluster, the focus must be on maintaining superior quality and certification to justify premium pricing. For the Volume Cluster, logistics must be streamlined for cost-effective, large-scale shipments. The high frequency to Spain and Thailand requires a reliable cold chain for smaller, just-in-time deliveries. This split approach will help maximize returns from the global trade of Frozen Shrimps under HS Code 030617.

Table: Argentina Frozen Shrimps (HS 030617) Top Destination Countries (Source: yTrade)

Get Complete Destination Countries Profile

Action Plan for Frozen Shrimps Market Operation and Expansion

• Prioritize production of higher-value cooked shrimp variants for the Argentina Frozen Shrimps Export to Spain, the U.S., and Italy, as the hs code 030617 trade data confirms these markets pay a premium for processed goods, boosting overall profitability.
• Streamline the Frozen Shrimps supply chain for bulk shipments to China and Peru by negotiating long-term volume contracts, because their high-volume, low-price demand requires cost-efficient logistics to maintain competitiveness.
• Use shipment frequency data from the hs code 030617 trade data to optimize inventory and delivery schedules for high-frequency buyers like Spain and Thailand, ensuring just-in-time cold chain operations that reduce spoilage and meet fresh market needs.
• Diversify export destinations within the high-yield cluster to mitigate geopolitical or trade risks, as over-reliance on a few premium markets could disrupt the Argentina Frozen Shrimps Export revenue if demand shifts unexpectedly.

Take Action Now —— Explore Argentina Frozen Shrimps Export Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Argentina Frozen Shrimps Export 2025 February?

Argentina's frozen shrimp exports declined by 20.9% in value and 21.8% in volume from January to February 2025, likely due to short-term disruptions from new food export regulations. The slight 1.2% unit price increase suggests a shift toward higher-value products.

Q2. Who are the main destination countries of Argentina Frozen Shrimps (HS Code 030617) 2025 February?

Spain (21.09% of shipments), China Mainland (23.01% of weight), and the United States are key buyers. Spain focuses on premium shrimp, while China dominates bulk purchases.

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

Price differences stem from product grades: Spain and the U.S. pay premiums for high-value cooked shrimp (~18-19 USD/kg), while China buys standard frozen shrimp (~9-12 USD/kg) in bulk.

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

Exporters should prioritize high-margin markets (e.g., Spain, U.S.) with premium cooked shrimp, while optimizing bulk logistics for China. Reliable cold chains are critical for frequent, smaller shipments to Spain and Thailand.

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

European buyers can expect consistent premium quality, while Asian hubs like China receive cost-effective bulk shipments. Spain’s high-frequency deliveries indicate a demand for just-in-time supply chains.

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

Frozen shrimp exports serve two purposes: high-value cooked products for direct consumption in premium markets and raw frozen shrimp for bulk processing or redistribution in volume-driven hubs.