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

Argentina Frozen Squid Export (HS 030743) Key Takeaways

Argentina's frozen squid exports under HS Code 030743 in June 2025 reveal a highly concentrated trade in bulk frozen product, with 96% of volume tied to a single sub-code, limiting pricing power. Shipments show partial recovery from May’s slump, signaling stabilization amid regulatory reforms. China dominates as the top buyer, absorbing 73% of exports but with slightly lower value density, while Japan and Spain offer steadier margins. This analysis is based on cleanly processed customs data from the yTrade database, covering June 2025.

Argentina Frozen Squid Export (HS 030743) Background

What is HS Code 030743?

HS Code 030743 refers to Cuttle fish and squid, frozen, a globally traded seafood product. It is primarily used in food processing, retail, and hospitality industries due to its versatility and shelf stability. Demand remains steady, driven by its popularity in Asian and Mediterranean cuisines, as well as its use in value-added products like calamari rings.

Current Context and Strategic Position

Argentina recently reformed its food import and export regulations, simplifying trade for products like frozen squid from countries with high sanitary standards [FAS USDA]. This policy shift could enhance Argentina's frozen squid export competitiveness by reducing administrative barriers. As a key supplier, Argentina's trade performance under HS Code 030743 is critical for global seafood markets, particularly in Asia and Europe. Monitoring hs code 030743 trade data is essential to assess the impact of these regulatory changes and identify emerging opportunities.

Argentina Frozen Squid Export (HS 030743) Price Trend

Key Observations

In June 2025, Argentina's Frozen squid exports reached 131.71 million USD, marking a sequential increase from May but remaining subdued compared to the stronger performance earlier in the year. This Argentina Frozen squid export trend reflects ongoing market adjustments amid broader regulatory shifts.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The hs code 030743 value trend showed significant volatility through the first half of 2025, with exports peaking in February before a sharp decline in May. The partial recovery in June suggests market stabilization, potentially influenced by Argentina's food import regulatory reforms introduced in February, which aimed to streamline trade processes [FAS USDA]. Seasonal demand cycles for seafood, often tied to global supply fluctuations, likely contributed to these swings, with the reforms (FAS USDA) possibly easing operational bottlenecks over time.

Argentina Frozen Squid Export (HS 030743) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

According to yTrade data for June 2025, Argentina's export of frozen squid under HS Code 030743 is overwhelmingly concentrated in a single product form. The sub-code 03074310110, describing frozen cuttle fish and squid, accounts for 96% of the total quantity and 95% of the total export value. This high concentration points to a specialized trade in a specific frozen form, though a lack of available unit price data prevents a direct comparison of value per kilogram across sub-codes.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The remaining sub-codes fall into two clear tiers based on their minor shares. A small secondary group, including codes 03074310130 and 03074310150, holds a combined 4% value share. The rest are negligible niche shipments. Since all sub-codes share the identical product description of frozen molluscs, the structural breakdown suggests this is a bulk commodity trade. The market is defined by volume in a single frozen category rather than significant value-add stages or quality grades.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

This analysis of HS Code 030743 trade data reveals a market for a standardized bulk good. Exporters have little product differentiation to leverage for pricing power, making them highly exposed to global commodity price swings for frozen seafood. The strategic focus must be on cost-efficient operations and scale. For buyers, Argentina's HS Code 030743 export structure offers a reliable, high-volume source for a uniform frozen product.

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Argentina Frozen Squid Export (HS 030743) Destination Countries

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

China Mainland is the dominant destination for Argentina's frozen squid exports in June 2025. It accounts for 73.27% of the total export value but only 75.66% of the quantity. This gap, where the value share is slightly lower than the quantity share, suggests shipments to China consist of a mix of product grades, with a notable volume of lower-value or bulk frozen squid. The high frequency of shipments (40.36% of all transactions) points to a steady, high-volume trade relationship.

Destination Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The data reveals two clear clusters beyond China. A volume cluster includes Thailand and Vietnam. Thailand holds a 7.65% value share from 6.89% of the quantity, indicating a focus on moderately valued goods. Vietnam shows a similar profile with a 3.83% value share from 3.50% of the quantity. A second, balanced cluster features partners like Japan and Spain. Japan's value share (4.51%) closely matches its quantity share (4.57%), signaling trade in consistently priced, medium-grade squid. Spain shows a similar pattern with a 3.91% value share from 3.13% of the quantity.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

The export profile for Argentina's frozen squid indicates a need to balance two strategies. Protecting the high-volume, lower-margin trade with China is crucial for overall volume. Concurrently, focus should be placed on nurturing relationships in the balanced cluster, like Japan and Spain, which offer stable, consistent value. Supply chains must remain efficient to support the high frequency of shipments required by the largest buyers, ensuring timely delivery to maintain these key trade flows.

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

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Action Plan for Frozen Squid Market Operation and Expansion

• Monitor global seafood indices and China's import policies weekly to anticipate price shifts, as Argentina's Frozen squid Export is a bulk commodity tied to these external drivers and lacks pricing power.
• Use hs code 030743 trade data to identify and target buyers in Japan and Spain, offering consistent mid-grade shipments to diversify away from volatile, high-volume deals with China.
• Streamline the Frozen squid supply chain for high-frequency shipments to major buyers by optimizing logistics and cold storage, reducing delays that could disrupt steady trade flows.
• Negotiate long-term contracts with balanced cluster partners to lock in stable margins, as these markets show consistent value per unit and reduce exposure to spot price swings.
• Invest in cost-efficient processing and scale operations to maintain competitiveness, since the hs code 030743 trade data confirms this is a volume-driven market with thin differentiation.

Take Action Now —— Explore Argentina Frozen squid Export Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Argentina Frozen squid Export 2025 June?

Argentina's frozen squid exports showed volatility in early 2025, peaking in February before declining in May. The June recovery suggests stabilization, likely influenced by regulatory reforms streamlining trade processes and seasonal seafood demand cycles.

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

China dominates with 73.27% of export value, followed by Thailand (7.65%) and Vietnam (3.83%). Japan and Spain form a secondary cluster with stable, medium-grade trade.

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

Price differences stem from China's bulk-focused shipments (lower value per kg) versus balanced clusters like Japan and Spain, which trade consistently priced, medium-grade squid.

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

Exporters must prioritize cost-efficient operations to maintain high-volume trade with China while nurturing stable-value relationships with partners like Japan and Spain.

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

Buyers in China benefit from reliable bulk supply, while those in Japan and Spain gain access to consistent, medium-grade product with stable pricing.

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

Argentina's frozen squid exports are primarily a standardized bulk commodity, traded in high volumes for global seafood supply chains with minimal value-add processing.