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

Argentina Frozen Shrimps Export (HS 030617) Key Takeaways

Argentina's frozen shrimp exports under HS code 030617 are a standardized bulk commodity, with over 60% of May 2025 trade concentrated in two cooked, in-shell product types, limiting pricing power for suppliers. Shipments saw a sharp decline, dropping to $35.24 million amid regulatory shifts and global demand softness. Peru dominates as the top destination, absorbing 32% of export value, while the U.S. and U.K. show premium potential with higher value-to-quantity ratios. This analysis of Argentina's frozen shrimp export trends is based on cleanly processed May 2025 customs data from the yTrade database.

Argentina Frozen Shrimps Export (HS 030617) Background

What is HS Code 030617?

HS Code 030617 defines shrimps and prawns, frozen, a globally traded seafood product. These are widely used in foodservice, retail, and processing industries due to their versatility and extended shelf life. Stable demand is driven by their role in ready-to-cook meals and value-added seafood products.

Current Context and Strategic Position

Argentina recently reformed its food import and export regulations, streamlining trade for products like frozen shrimps from countries with high sanitary standards [FAS USDA]. This policy shift positions Argentina's frozen shrimps export to capitalize on smoother trade flows and potential market expansion. The country's strategic significance lies in its access to Atlantic fishing grounds and compliance with international food safety norms. Monitoring HS Code 030617 trade data is critical to assess how these regulatory changes impact Argentina's competitiveness in the global seafood trade.

Argentina Frozen Shrimps Export (HS 030617) Price Trend

Key Observations

In May 2025, Argentina's Frozen Shrimps exports under HS code 030617 saw a sharp contraction, with total value dropping to 35.24 million USD. This represents a significant downturn in the Argentina Frozen Shrimps Export trend, highlighting heightened volatility during the period.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The hs code 030617 value trend exhibited a steady sequential decline from January's peak of 216.57 million USD, falling by over 20% month-on-month through April before the steep May drop. This erosion in export momentum aligns with the regulatory shifts in Argentina's food trade landscape, particularly the February reform that eased import rules [FAS USDA], potentially increasing domestic competition and redirecting supply. For frozen seafood, such policy changes can disrupt typical stock cycles and export rhythms, compounded by broader global demand softness or currency fluctuations affecting trade flows.

Argentina Frozen Shrimps Export (HS 030617) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

According to yTrade data for May 2025, Argentina's export of frozen shrimps under HS Code 030617 is heavily concentrated. Two specific product types, both described as 'frozen, cooked in-shell shrimps and prawns', dominate the trade flow. Together, they account for over 60% of the total export value and nearly 75% of the total quantity shipped, indicating a highly specialized market focused on this particular prepared form.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The remaining export items are all variations of the same core product: frozen shrimps and prawns that are cooked and in-shell. The data shows no significant variation in product form or a clear value-add hierarchy, such as raw versus processed or different quality grades. This structure suggests the trade for Argentina's HS Code 030617 is for a bulk commodity. The products are likely fungible goods traded on volume, not highly differentiated items with brand or quality premiums.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

This analysis of HS Code 030617 trade data shows Argentina's export is for a standardized commodity. This gives individual suppliers low pricing power, as products are largely interchangeable and competition is based on volume and cost. The strategic focus for players should be on operational efficiency and securing large-volume contracts, rather than developing premium, value-added products for this specific segment.

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Argentina Frozen Shrimps Export (HS 030617) Destination Countries

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

In May 2025, Peru was the dominant destination for Argentina's Frozen Shrimps exports, representing 32.08% of the total value and 34.47% of the quantity shipped. The slightly higher quantity share compared to value indicates a focus on bulk or standard-grade trade for this market. Shipment frequency was also high at 30.47%, supporting consistent export activity.

Destination Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The top partners can be grouped into two clusters based on trade patterns. First, a high-yield cluster includes the United States and United Kingdom, where value shares exceed quantity shares (e.g., US value 5.76% vs. quantity 4.09%), suggesting demand for premium frozen shrimps in retail or food service sectors. Second, a volume cluster comprises Peru, Russia, Morocco, and Japan, where quantity shares outweigh value shares (e.g., Russia quantity 7.53% vs. value 6.78%), pointing to bulk purchases likely for processing or mass consumption. These patterns align with typical trade flows for HS Code 030617, where developed markets seek higher quality, while emerging economies import larger volumes for cost-effective distribution.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

To boost Argentina's Frozen Shrimps export earnings, prioritizing high-margin markets like the US and UK through targeted marketing of premium products is advised. Simultaneously, optimizing logistics and cost efficiency for volume buyers such as Peru and Russia can maintain strong relationships and stable demand. This approach leverages the current trade data for HS Code 030617 to balance margin growth with volume security.

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

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Action Plan for Frozen Shrimps Market Operation and Expansion

• Target high-margin markets like the US and UK by marketing premium product lines; this leverages the hs code 030617 trade data showing higher value shares to increase profitability for the Argentina Frozen Shrimps Export.
• Optimize logistics and cost-efficiency for volume-driven buyers in Peru and Russia; this secures stable, bulk demand and strengthens the Frozen Shrimps supply chain resilience against price volatility.
• Develop a value-added product, such as ready-to-eat shrimp meals, to differentiate from the bulk commodity; this creates pricing power beyond the standard Argentina Frozen Shrimps Export offerings.
• Continuously monitor the Frozen Shrimps supply chain for shifts in buyer frequency and volume; this allows for agile adjustments to production and prevents overstock based on real-time hs code 030617 trade data.
• Use buyer frequency data to identify and lock in contracts with high-volume, consistent importers; this ensures predictable demand and optimizes the Argentina Frozen Shrimps Export operation for steady revenue.

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 May?

Argentina's Frozen Shrimps exports saw a sharp contraction in May 2025, dropping to 35.24 million USD due to regulatory shifts and heightened market volatility. The decline aligns with eased import rules in Argentina, which may have increased domestic competition and redirected supply.

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

Peru was the dominant destination, accounting for 32.08% of export value, followed by the US (5.76%) and Russia (6.78%). These markets represent distinct trade clusters—Peru for bulk volume and the US for higher-value demand.

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

Price differences stem from market segmentation: high-value buyers like the US and UK pay premiums for retail or food service, while volume-driven markets (Peru, Russia) prioritize bulk purchases for processing or mass consumption.

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

Exporters should prioritize high-margin markets (US, UK) with premium positioning while optimizing logistics for volume-driven buyers (Peru, Russia) to balance profitability and stable demand.

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

Buyers in high-value markets can expect consistent premium product availability, while volume-focused markets benefit from cost-efficient bulk supply due to Argentina's standardized commodity trade structure.

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

Argentina's exports under HS Code 030617 are primarily frozen, cooked in-shell shrimps and prawns, traded as bulk commodities for mass consumption or further processing, with limited differentiation in product form or quality grades.