2025 Argentina Carbonates (HS 2836) Export: Sharp Volatility

Key Takeaways

Carbonates, classified under HS Code 2836 (Carbonates; peroxocarbonates (percarbonates); commercial ammonium carbonate containing ammonium carbamate), exhibited sharp volatility from January to September 2025.

• Market Pulse: Exports started strong at $171M in January, plummeted 70% by May, then partially recovered to $78M by September—highlighting unstable demand cycles.
• Structural Shift: Argentina Carbonates Export reliance on CHINA MAINLAND (78.17% share) creates high exposure to single-market shocks, with minor diversification to the US and South Korea.
• Product Logic: HS Code 2836 trade data reveals lithium carbonate dominates (100% value share) at 23.46 USD/kg, while other carbonates are negligible—confirming a premium, niche-driven export profile.

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

Argentina Carbonates (HS Code 2836) Key Metrics Trend

Market Trend Summary

Analyzing the Argentina Carbonates Export trend from January to September 2025, exports started strongly with a value of $171 million in January but declined sharply by May, dropping over 70% month-on-month to $45 million. The trend then reversed, showing a steady recovery through the third quarter, reaching $78 million by September, though it remained below the early-year peak.

Drivers & Industry Context

The value derived from HS Code 2836 was not directly impacted by Argentina's 2025 export policy changes, which focused on agricultural and metal sectors [KPMG]. Instead, the May contraction and subsequent recovery likely reflect seasonal demand cycles or shifts in global industrial consumption, common in chemical exports like carbonates, where supply chain adjustments or inventory drawdowns can cause temporary volatility.

Table: Argentina Carbonates Export Trend (Source: yTrade)

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Argentina HS Code 2836 Export Breakdown

Market Composition & Top Categories

According to yTrade data, Argentina's HS Code 2836 export market is overwhelmingly dominated by lithium carbonate, which captures nearly 100% of the total export value. The remaining sub-codes, including calcium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate, collectively account for less than 1% of value, forming a negligible share of Argentina's carbonate exports throughout the first three quarters of 2025. This concentration underscores a highly specialized focus within the Argentina HS Code 2836 export profile.

Value Chain & Strategic Insights

Lithium carbonate commands a premium unit price of 23.46 USD/kg, vastly exceeding other carbonates like calcium carbonate at 0.69 USD/kg, indicating a high-value, specialized product rather than a commodity. This HS Code 2836 breakdown reveals a market driven by quality and specific industrial applications, not price sensitivity. The trade structure is characterized by niche, high-margin exports, with lithium carbonate serving as the strategic driver.

Table: Argentina HS Code 2836) Export Breakdown Details (Source: yTrade)

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Argentina Carbonates Destination Countries

Geographic Concentration & Market Risk

Argentina's Carbonates exports from January to September 2025 show extreme geographic concentration, with CHINA MAINLAND dominating at 78.17% of total export value. This reliance on a single market heightens vulnerability to demand shifts or trade policy changes in China. Other Argentina Carbonates export destinations like the United States and South Korea hold minor shares, underscoring a high-risk, undiversified trade structure.

Purchasing Behavior & Demand Segmentation

The aligned value and weight ratios for top trade partners for Carbonates, especially China's 78.17 valueRatio versus 76.16 weightRatio, signal uniform pricing consistent with industrial bulk processing. High shipment frequency to China (52.85 frequencyRatio) supports volume-driven logistics rather than premium or retail fragmentation. This pattern confirms the market offers volume scale, not margin potential, for Argentina's exports.

Table: Argentina Carbonates (HS Code 2836) Top Destination Countries (Source: yTrade)

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Action Plan for Carbonates Market Operation and Expansion

• Diversify buyers: Target US and South Korean markets to reduce China dependence, leveraging their existing but underutilized trade shares.
• Lock in contracts: Negotiate short-term agreements to hedge against volatile monthly swings, especially during Q2 downturns.
• Optimize logistics: Streamline bulk shipments to China (76.16% weight share) to cut costs, given the volume-driven pricing model.
• Brand lithium quality: Highlight the 23.46 USD/kg premium positioning to industrial buyers, distancing from commodity-grade carbonates.
• Monitor China policy: Track trade or industrial shifts in China that could disrupt 78% of Argentina’s carbonate revenue.

Take Action Now —— Explore Argentina Carbonates HS Code 2836 Export Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Argentina's Carbonates exports saw a sharp 70% drop in May 2025, followed by a steady recovery through Q3, likely due to seasonal demand shifts or global industrial inventory adjustments rather than policy changes.

Q2. Who are the main destination countries of Argentina Carbonates (HS Code 2836) in 2025?

China dominates with 78.17% of export value, while the U.S. and South Korea hold minor shares, reflecting extreme geographic concentration.

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

Lithium carbonate commands a premium at 23.46 USD/kg, while other carbonates like calcium carbonate are priced at 0.69 USD/kg, reflecting high-value specialization versus bulk commodity grades.

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

Exporters should prioritize lithium carbonate’s high-margin niche and diversify beyond China to mitigate reliance on a single high-risk market.

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

Buyers in China benefit from volume-driven bulk pricing, but the market’s concentration in lithium carbonate limits alternatives for industrial applications requiring other carbonate types.

Q6. How is Carbonates typically used in this trade flow?

Lithium carbonate is primarily used for specialized industrial applications, while minor sub-codes like calcium carbonate serve lower-value bulk processing needs.

Detailed Monthly and Quarterly Report

Argentina HS Code 2836 Export Data Snapshot 2025 JAN

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Argentina HS Code 2836 Export Data Snapshot 2025 Q1

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