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

Argentina Grated Cheese Export (HS 040221) Key Takeaways

Argentina's grated cheese exports under HS Code 040221 in June 2025 were dominated by high-value powdered milk and cream (90% share), priced at $15.65/kg, signaling a premium product focus. Exports fell sharply to $36.37M, down from $82.22M in March, likely due to seasonal dairy declines and global demand softness. Brazil was the bulk buyer (49.81% value share), while Algeria paid premium prices (38.88% value share for just 6.09% of volume). This analysis, covering June 2025, is based on processed Customs data from the yTrade database.

Argentina Grated Cheese Export (HS 040221) Background

What is HS Code 040221?

HS Code 040221 refers to Cheese, grated or powdered, a processed dairy product widely used in food manufacturing, retail, and foodservice industries. Its shelf stability and convenience drive consistent global demand, particularly in sectors like fast food, packaged meals, and snack production. This product category is a key indicator of dairy trade dynamics due to its value-added nature.

Current Context and Strategic Position

While no recent trade policy changes directly impact Argentina's grated cheese exports, global dairy markets remain sensitive to supply chain disruptions and fluctuating input costs. Argentina, as a major dairy exporter, plays a strategic role in meeting demand for HS Code 040221, especially in price-sensitive markets. Monitoring hs code 040221 trade data is critical to assess competitiveness, as Argentina’s export volumes and pricing trends reflect broader shifts in dairy trade flows. Vigilance is warranted to navigate potential volatility in feed costs or currency fluctuations affecting margins.

Argentina Grated Cheese Export (HS 040221) Price Trend

Key Observations

Argentina Grated Cheese Export trend for June 2025 closed at 36.37 million USD, reflecting a sustained downturn from the higher values seen in the first quarter.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The hs code 040221 value trend demonstrates a clear sequential decline, with exports falling from 82.22 million USD in March to 36.37 million USD in June. This downward momentum may stem from seasonal factors in dairy production, such as reduced milk output during Argentina's winter months, coupled with potential global demand softness or currency volatility impacting trade competitiveness.

Argentina Grated Cheese Export (HS 040221) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

In June 2025, Argentina's export under HS Code 040221 is highly concentrated in sub-code 04022110900, which represents concentrated milk and cream in powder form with fat content exceeding 1.5%. According to yTrade data, this sub-code holds over 90% of the value share, with a unit price of approximately 15.65 USD per kilogram, far exceeding the 6.55 USD per kilogram for the other sub-code, indicating a specialized, premium product focus.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The sub-codes can be grouped into two categories: a high-value grade (04022110900) and a standard-value grade (04022110190), based on the significant price difference. This structure shows that Argentina's HS Code 040221 exports are not fungible bulk commodities but differentiated goods, where factors like processing quality or fat content likely drive pricing, reducing reliance on commodity indices.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

For market players, the dominance of high-value exports under Argentina's HS Code 040221 provides strong pricing power and higher profit margins. Strategic focus should be on maintaining and enhancing product quality to sustain this advantage, avoiding commodity-style competition. Analysis of HS Code 040221 trade data suggests opportunities for further value addition to strengthen market position.

Check Detailed HS Code 040221 Breakdown

Argentina Grated Cheese Export (HS 040221) Destination Countries

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

Argentina's grated cheese exports in June 2025 were highly concentrated. Brazil was the dominant destination, accounting for 49.81% of the total export value. However, its 85.92% share of the quantity was much larger than its value share. This gap shows Brazil primarily bought bulk, lower-margin grated cheese. In contrast, Algeria held a 38.88% value share with only a 6.09% quantity share, indicating it paid premium prices for smaller, higher-grade shipments.

Destination Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The trade partners form three clear clusters. Brazil is the sole "Volume/Hub Cluster," acting as the bulk buyer. Algeria is the "High-Yield Cluster," representing a premium market for Argentina's grated cheese. The remaining eight countries form a "Transactional Cluster." They collectively represent numerous small-scale, likely retail-driven purchases. Their low frequency but notable value ratios point to a fragmented customer base buying smaller amounts of product.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

The strategy must balance two different markets. For Brazil, logistics should be optimized for high-volume, cost-effective container shipments to protect margins. For the high-value segment, focus should be on maintaining product quality and supply chain reliability for partners like Algeria to justify premium pricing. The fragmented nature of the smaller buyers suggests a need for a flexible export operation capable of handling many small orders efficiently.

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

• Segment logistics by destination cluster using hs code 040221 trade data. Optimize the Grated Cheese supply chain for high-volume, cost-effective shipments to Brazil, while ensuring premium, smaller shipments to Algeria. This protects margins in both volume and high-yield markets.
• Prioritize production and quality control for the high-fat (04022110900) sub-code. Focus on maintaining the superior quality that justifies its premium price in the Argentina Grated Cheese Export portfolio. This defends against commodity competition and protects pricing power.
• Develop a flexible export operation to efficiently manage numerous small orders. Streamline documentation and logistics for the fragmented "Transactional Cluster" of buyers. This captures value from a diverse customer base without high operational costs.
• Continuously monitor hs code 040221 trade data for shifts in buyer behavior and price. Use this to quickly adjust sales strategy and production focus. This ensures the Argentina Grated Cheese Export strategy remains agile and profit-maximizing.

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 June?

Argentina's grated cheese exports declined from 82.22 million USD in March to 36.37 million USD in June 2025, likely due to seasonal dairy production drops and global demand softness.

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

Brazil dominated with 49.81% of export value, followed by Algeria at 38.88%, while the remaining 11.31% was spread across eight smaller markets.

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

The price gap stems from product specialization—Algeria paid premiums for high-grade shipments (6.09% quantity share, 38.88% value share), while Brazil bought bulk quantities at lower margins.

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

Exporters should optimize logistics for Brazil’s high-volume shipments while maintaining quality for Algeria’s premium segment and ensuring flexibility for smaller buyers.

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

Brazilian buyers benefit from bulk pricing, while Algerian buyers access higher-grade products. Smaller markets face fragmented supply but gain niche product access.

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

Grated cheese is primarily exported as a differentiated food product, with Argentina specializing in premium powdered forms (e.g., high-fat concentrated milk).