Argentina Grated Cheese Export Market -- HS Code 040221 Trade Data & Price Trend (Apr 2025)

Argentina Grated Cheese Export (HS 040221) Key Takeaways

Argentina's grated cheese exports under HS Code 040221 in April 2025 reveal a high-value product specialization, with 94% of shipments concentrated in premium powdered dairy at 9.11 USD/kg. Despite rising unit prices (up to 9.01 USD/kg from 8.24 USD/kg in January), export volumes fell sharply by 20%, signaling supply constraints. Brazil dominates as the primary buyer (65% of volume), but Algeria emerges as a high-margin alternative, paying premium prices for quality. This analysis, covering April 2025, is based on cleanly processed customs data from the yTrade database. The market structure shows Argentina's ability to command pricing power in premium segments while facing geographic concentration risks in bulk trade with Brazil. Strategic shifts toward higher-yield markets could offset volume declines.

Argentina Grated Cheese Export (HS 040221) Background

What is HS Code 040221?

HS Code 040221 refers to Cheese, grated or powdered, a product widely used in food processing, retail, and foodservice industries. Its global demand remains stable due to its versatility in culinary applications, from packaged meals to restaurant dishes. The product’s long shelf life and ease of transport further reinforce its trade significance.

Current Context and Strategic Position

While no specific trade policy updates have been announced, Argentina’s grated cheese export sector remains sensitive to global dairy price fluctuations and shifting consumer preferences. Argentina’s strategic position as a key exporter under HS Code 040221 is bolstered by its competitive dairy production costs and established trade networks. Monitoring Argentina’s grated cheese export trends and HS Code 040221 trade data is critical for stakeholders navigating this dynamic market. Vigilance is advised to anticipate shifts in demand or supply chain disruptions.

Argentina Grated Cheese Export (HS 040221) Price Trend

Key Observations

Argentina's grated cheese exports in April 2025 totaled 71.71 million USD at a unit price of 9.01 USD per kilogram, marking a decline in value from the previous month despite higher pricing.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The Argentina Grated Cheese Export trend reveals a tightening market through early 2025, with unit prices climbing steadily from 8.24 USD/kg in January to 9.01 USD/kg in April, while export weights fell sequentially by over 20% to 7.96 million kg. This inverse movement suggests supply-side pressures, such as reduced milk output or inventory drawdowns post-harvest seasons, are driving up prices even as volumes contract. The hs code 040221 value trend showed resilience in March before April's pullback, likely reflecting broader dairy sector volatility influenced by Argentina's economic conditions and shifting global demand patterns.

Argentina Grated Cheese Export (HS 040221) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

In April 2025, Argentina's export under HS Code 040221 shows strong concentration in a single product type. According to yTrade data, the sub-code 04022110900 for dairy produce in powder or solid forms with over 1.5% fat content dominates with a 94% value share and a unit price of 9.11 USD per kilogram. This higher price compared to the other sub-code at 7.67 USD per kilogram indicates a specialized, higher-value export focus.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The market structure splits into two clear groups based on unit price: higher-value exports under sub-code 04022110900 and standard-value exports under 04022110190, both for concentrated milk and cream in solid forms. This price differentiation suggests that Argentina's HS Code 040221 trade involves graded, manufactured goods rather than uniform commodities, with exports tailored to varying quality or market segments.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

This structure gives Argentine exporters pricing leverage for the higher-value products, reinforcing the need to maintain quality standards and target premium markets. Strategic focus should remain on enhancing the specialized exports under HS Code 040221 to sustain competitive advantage in global trade.

Check Detailed HS Code 040221 Breakdown

Argentina Grated Cheese Export (HS 040221) Destination Countries

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

Brazil is the dominant destination for Argentina's grated cheese exports in April 2025, receiving 64.89% of the total export value. This share is slightly lower than its 66.79% share of the total weight shipped. This small gap suggests the trade with Brazil consists of bulk, lower-margin shipments of this manufactured food product. The high frequency of shipments (81.58% of all transactions) points to a well-established, high-volume trade lane requiring consistent logistics for a perishable good.

Destination Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The remaining export partners form two clear clusters. Algeria represents a high-yield cluster, accounting for a significant 27.48% of the total export value from a much smaller 24.50% share of the weight. This indicates Algeria pays a premium price, likely for higher-quality or specially processed grated cheese. The other nations, including Venezuela and Côte d'Ivoire, form a transactional cluster. Their combined value share is minimal, but their presence shows a strategy of serving smaller, diverse markets with occasional shipments to broaden overall market reach for Argentina's grated cheese.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

The data shows a clear strategic path. To increase profitability, Argentina should work to move more volume into higher-margin markets like Algeria, which demonstrate demand for premium products. For the massive volume shipped to Brazil, the focus must remain on optimizing supply chain efficiency and cost control to protect margins on bulk sales. Developing more relationships with partners in the transactional cluster could provide valuable market diversification for HS Code 040221 trade.

Table: Argentina Grated Cheese (HS 040221) Top Destination Countries (Source: yTrade)

Get Complete Destination Countries Profile

Action Plan for Grated Cheese Market Operation and Expansion

• Target premium markets like Algeria using hs code 040221 trade data to identify buyers paying higher unit prices, because this directly increases profit margins for Argentina Grated Cheese Export.
• Optimize the Grated Cheese supply chain for high-volume shipments to Brazil by streamlining logistics and reducing costs, as this protects profitability on bulk trade.
• Use transaction frequency data to develop new buyers in smaller, diverse markets, to diversify risk and reduce over-reliance on a single destination for Argentina's Grated Cheese Export.
• Maintain strict quality standards for the high-value product under sub-code 04022110900, to defend the premium pricing power and competitive advantage in global trade.

Take Action Now —— Explore Argentina Grated Cheese Export Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Argentina Grated Cheese Export 2025 April?

Argentina's grated cheese exports in April 2025 saw rising unit prices (9.01 USD/kg) but declining volumes, likely due to supply-side pressures like reduced milk output or inventory drawdowns post-harvest seasons.

Q2. Who are the main destination countries of Argentina Grated Cheese (HS Code 040221) 2025 April?

Brazil dominates with 64.89% of export value, followed by Algeria (27.48%), while smaller markets like Venezuela and Côte d'Ivoire form a transactional cluster.

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

The price gap stems from product specialization—higher-value exports (9.11 USD/kg) under sub-code 04022110900 target premium markets like Algeria, while bulk shipments to Brazil average lower prices.

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

Exporters should prioritize shifting volume to high-margin markets like Algeria while optimizing supply chain efficiency for bulk shipments to Brazil to protect profitability.

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

Brazilian buyers benefit from stable bulk supply, while Algerian buyers pay premiums for higher-quality products. Smaller markets receive sporadic shipments, indicating diversification opportunities.

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

Grated cheese is a manufactured dairy product, primarily exported in solid or powdered form for food processing, retail, or foodservice industries.