Argentina - Japan Trade 2025 Q2: Widening Deficit

Key Market Takeaways: Argentina - Japan Trade

The bilateral trade relationship between Argentina and Japan shows strong growth but widening imbalance in Q2 2025.

• Deficit-Driven Trade: Argentina’s imports from Japan ($382M) dwarf exports ($72M), creating a $310M deficit—imports exceed exports by 5.3x. Volatile monthly swings suggest uneven demand.
• Resource-for-Tech Exchange: Argentina - Japan trade statistics reveal a lopsided structure: Argentina ships unclassified goods (62% of exports) and seafood, while relying on Japanese vehicles (42% of imports) and high-tech machinery.
• Asymmetric Dependency: Japan holds the value chain advantage, supplying critical tech (autos, optics) while Argentina’s exports lack diversification, signaling weak bargaining power.

This bilateral trade snapshot is based on verified customs data from the yTrade database.

Argentina-Japan Trade Trend in Q2 2025

Argentina Export Performance: Shipments to Japan

• Total Volume: $72.30M in Q2 2025.
• Growth Trend & Context:
  • YoY growth surged (+35.93% in Apr, +78.53% in May, +50.30% in Jun), reflecting strong demand or base effects.
  • No specific trade news to explain the trend.
• Key Volatility: MoM swings were sharp: +45.56% in April, then a -14.02% drop in June.

Argentina Import Performance: Sourcing from Japan

• Total Volume: $382.36M in Q2 2025.
• Growth Trend & Context:
  • YoY growth accelerated (+5.65% in Apr, +44.60% in May, +64.87% in Jun), signaling rising dependency or inventory buildup.
• Key Volatility: May saw a 22.77% MoM spike, while June growth slowed to +1.44%.

Argentina - Japan Trade Balance & Market Dynamics

• Net Position: Trade deficit of $310.06M (Imports exceeded exports by 5.3x).
• Relationship Status: Heavy reliance on Japanese imports, with exports failing to offset the imbalance.

Argentina Import Trend from Japan 2025 Q2 (Source: yTrade)**

Argentina Export Trend to Japan 2025 Q2 (Source: yTrade)**

Get Historical Argentina Japan Trade Records

Argentina-Japan Top Trading Products in Q2 2025

Argentina Export Profile: What Does Argentina Sell to Japan

• Top Commodity: HS Code 99 (62.43% share). Likely unclassified or special category goods, indicating a dominant but ambiguous export.
• Demand Driver: Japan's imports are heavily concentrated in HS Code 99, suggesting a niche or bilateral agreement-driven trade. Secondary exports like HS Code 03 (24.43%, likely fish/seafood) point to Japan's demand for raw materials.
• Concentration: Extreme—HS Code 99 alone accounts for 62.43% of exports, signaling high reliance on a single category.

Argentina Import Profile: What Does Argentina Buy from Japan

• Top Commodity: HS Code 87 (41.79% share, vehicles). Japan's auto exports dominate, reflecting Argentina's dependency on Japanese automotive technology.
• Dependency Nature: Critical technology dependency. HS Codes 84 (machinery, 20.51%) and 90 (optical/medical devices, 9.10%) further underscore reliance on high-tech Japanese manufacturing.

Argentina - Japan Trade Relationship Dynamics

• The Exchange Model: Resource-for-Tech Complementarity. Argentina exports raw/unclassified goods (HS 99, 03) while importing high-value Japanese vehicles and machinery.
• Value Chain Position: Japan holds the higher value-add position. Argentina’s exports lack complexity (dominated by HS 99), while imports are tech-heavy (HS 87, 84, 90).

Import Analysis by Product: Japan to Argentina (Source: yTrade)

Export Analysis by Product: Argentina to Japan (Source: yTrade)

Check Detailed Argentina-Japan Trade HS Code Breakdown

Future Outlook & Strategic Recommendations

Forecast

Argentina’s trade with Japan is poised for continued growth in Q3 2025, driven by Japan’s sustained demand for raw materials (HS Code 99) and Argentina’s reliance on high-tech imports (HS Codes 87, 84). However, the widening trade deficit—now 5.3x in Japan’s favor—signals an urgent need for Argentina to diversify exports beyond unclassified goods. Volatility in monthly export swings (+45.56% in April, -14.02% in June) suggests traders should brace for uneven demand, while import growth (+64.87% YoY in June) indicates deepening dependency on Japanese machinery and vehicles.

Strategic Moves

• Diversify Export Basket: Argentina must reduce reliance on HS Code 99 by scaling secondary exports like seafood (HS 03) and exploring new sectors where Japan lacks self-sufficiency.
• Lock In Tech Imports: Importers should negotiate long-term contracts for critical Japanese machinery (HS 84) and vehicles (HS 87) to hedge against future price surges or supply chain disruptions.
• Leverage Trade Diplomacy: The government should push for bilateral agreements to boost value-added exports, such as processed agricultural goods, to rebalance the lopsided resource-for-tech exchange.

Frequently Asked Questions

How did Argentina - Japan trade perform in 2025 Q2?

Argentina's exports to Japan surged with YoY growth (up to +78.53% in May), totaling $72.30M, while imports rose to $382.36M, resulting in a $310.06M trade deficit.

What are the top exports from Argentina to Japan?

Argentina's top exports to Japan are unclassified/special category goods (HS Code 99, 62.43% share) and fish/seafood (HS Code 03, 24.43% share).

What does Argentina import from Japan?

Argentina primarily imports vehicles (HS Code 87, 41.79% share), machinery (HS Code 84, 20.51%), and optical/medical devices (HS Code 90, 9.10%) from Japan.

What is the trade balance between Argentina and Japan?

Argentina recorded a trade deficit of $310.06M with Japan in Q2 2025, with imports exceeding exports by 5.3x.