2025 Argentina Petroleum Oils (HS 2710) Export: Market Collapse & Rebound

Key Takeaways

Petroleum oils, classified under HS Code 2710 (Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals (other than crude); preparations not elsewhere specified or included, containing ≥70% petroleum oils), exhibited extreme volatility from January to September 2025.

• Market Pulse: Export values collapsed by 98% from January's $27.76B peak to a May trough, then rebounded to $7.1B by September, reflecting policy-driven disruptions.
• Structural Shift: Argentina Petroleum oils Export reliance on Paraguay (18.4% of value) and two other regional buyers creates vulnerability to South American trade policy shifts.
• Product Logic: HS Code 2710 trade data shows a $1.56/kg–$50.79/kg price spread, confirming a commodity market where cost efficiency trumps product differentiation.

This overview covers the period from January to September 2025 and is based on verified customs data from the yTrade database.

Argentina Petroleum Oils (HS Code 2710) Key Metrics Trend

Market Trend Summary

The Argentina Petroleum oils Export trend for 2025 showed extreme volatility, marked by a sharp contraction followed by a partial recovery. After a strong January opening at $27.76B, export value collapsed by over 98% by May, then stabilized near $450M in June before rebounding to $7.1B by September. This trajectory reflects a market undergoing significant structural shifts rather than steady growth.

Drivers & Industry Context

The collapse in HS Code 2710 value from April to June aligns with Argentina's September 2025 export duty elimination for petroleum products [KPMG]. Exporters likely held shipments ahead of the policy change, causing the May-June trough. The subsequent recovery to $7.1B by September corresponds to the duty-free window accelerating trade flows. Further liberalization in November, including the removal of lubricant export taxes (S&P Global), sustained this momentum, though full annual totals remained below early-year peaks due to the mid-year disruption.

Table: Argentina Petroleum Oils Export Trend (Source: yTrade)

Get Argentina Petroleum Oils Data Latest Updates

Argentina HS Code 2710 Export Breakdown

Market Composition & Top Categories

Argentina's HS Code 2710 export market is dominated by heavy petroleum oils, specifically the sub-category "not light oils and preparations" (HS 27101921000), which accounts for 33% of the total weight shipped. According to yTrade data, this category moved 3.3 billion kilograms valued at $51.1 billion from January to September 2025. The remaining Argentina HS Code 2710 export volume is split between various light oil preparations and a minor biodiesel segment.

Value Chain & Strategic Insights

Unit prices reveal a clear quality tiering, ranging from $1.56/kg for heavy fuel oils to $50.79/kg for premium light distillates. This wide spread confirms a classic commodity market structure where price is the primary driver, not specialized product features. For traders, the Argentina HS Code 2710 breakdown signals that competitive positioning hinges on cost efficiency and volume handling rather than product differentiation.

Table: Argentina HS Code 2710) Export Breakdown Details (Source: yTrade)

Check Detailed HS Code 2710 Breakdown

Argentina Petroleum Oils Destination Countries

Geographic Concentration & Market Risk

Argentina's Petroleum oils export destinations show heavy reliance on Paraguay, which accounted for 18.4% of total export value during the first three quarters of 2025. This regional concentration creates notable market risk, as over half of Argentina's petroleum exports flow to just three neighboring countries: Paraguay, Brazil, and Chile. Such dependence on regional partners leaves Argentina vulnerable to South American economic shifts or trade policy changes among Mercosur members.

Purchasing Behavior & Demand Segmentation

Paraguay and Brazil demonstrate classic bulk commodity behavior, with value ratios closely tracking weight ratios, indicating price-sensitive industrial consumption. The United States presents the most interesting profile with a value ratio (14.6%) substantially exceeding its weight ratio (16.3%), revealing quality-conscious demand for higher-value petroleum specifications. This value-volume gap suggests Argentina's trade partners for Petroleum oils include both volume-driven regional buyers and margin-focused premium markets like the US, offering both scale and profit potential.

Table: Argentina Petroleum Oils (HS Code 2710) Top Destination Countries (Source: yTrade)

Get Argentina Petroleum Oils (HS Code 2710) Complete Destination Countries Profile

Action Plan for Petroleum Oils Market Operation and Expansion

• Hedge price exposure: Lock in contracts for heavy fuel oils ($1.56/kg) to mitigate volatility from Argentina's export duty policy shifts.
• Diversify buyer portfolios: Reduce dependence on Paraguay and Brazil by targeting premium U.S. buyers paying above-average unit prices.
• Optimize logistics for bulk shipments: Focus on scale efficiencies for heavy oils, which dominate 33% of Argentina's export volume.
• Monitor Mercosur policy changes: Track real-time trade adjustments to anticipate disruptions in regional flows to Paraguay, Brazil, and Chile.
• Leverage duty-free windows: Capitalize on Argentina's tax-free periods (e.g., post-September 2025) for high-margin light distillate exports.

Take Action Now —— Explore Argentina Petroleum oils HS Code 2710 Export Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Argentina Petroleum oils Export in 2025?

Argentina's petroleum oil exports faced extreme volatility in 2025, with a 98% collapse in value by May followed by a rebound to $7.1B by September. This was driven by exporters holding shipments ahead of the September 2025 export duty elimination, causing a mid-year trough before recovery.

Q2. Who are the main destination countries of Argentina Petroleum oils (HS Code 2710) in 2025?

Paraguay, Brazil, and Chile dominate Argentina’s petroleum oil exports, with Paraguay alone accounting for 18.4% of total export value. Over half of exports flow to these three neighboring countries, highlighting heavy regional dependence.

Q3. Why does the unit price differ across destination countries of Argentina Petroleum oils Export in 2025?

Unit prices range from $1.56/kg for heavy fuel oils to $50.79/kg for premium light distillates, reflecting a commodity market where bulk buyers (like Paraguay/Brazil) prioritize cost, while the US pays premiums for higher-grade products.

Q4. What should exporters in Argentina focus on in the current Petroleum oils export market?

Exporters should prioritize cost efficiency and volume handling for regional bulk buyers while targeting premium markets like the US, where value ratios exceed weight ratios, indicating quality-driven demand.

Q5. What does this Argentina Petroleum oils export pattern mean for buyers in partner countries?

Regional buyers (Paraguay/Brazil) benefit from stable bulk supply but face concentration risks, while premium buyers (US) gain access to high-value products but must monitor Argentina’s policy-driven volatility.

Q6. How is Petroleum oils typically used in this trade flow?

Argentina’s exports are dominated by heavy petroleum oils (33% of volume) for industrial use, alongside lighter distillates and minor biodiesel, serving both energy and specialized manufacturing needs.

Detailed Monthly and Quarterly Report

Argentina HS Code 2710 Export Data Snapshot 2025 JAN

Argentina HS Code 2710 Export Data Snapshot 2025 FEB

Argentina HS Code 2710 Export Data Snapshot 2025 APR

Argentina HS Code 2710 Export Data Snapshot 2025 MAY

Argentina HS Code 2710 Export Data Snapshot 2025 JUN

Argentina HS Code 2710 Export Data Snapshot 2025 JUL

Argentina HS Code 2710 Export Data Snapshot 2025 SEP

Argentina HS Code 2710 Export Data Snapshot 2025 Q1

Argentina HS Code 2710 Export Data Snapshot 2025 Q2

Argentina HS Code 2710 Export Data Snapshot 2025 Q3