Argentina Light Petroleum Oils Export Market -- HS Code 271012 Trade Data & Price Trend (May 2025)

Argentina Light Petroleum Oils Export (HS 271012) Key Takeaways

Argentina's Light petroleum oils exports under HS Code 271012 in May 2025 reveal a volatile market, with values collapsing after an April surge, signaling instability. The bulk-grade 27101249990 dominates trade, offering low margins, while niche sub-codes like 27101241000 suggest untapped premium potential. The U.S. absorbs over half the volume at lower prices, while Paraguay commands higher unit values, highlighting divergent market strategies. This analysis, covering May 2025, is based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database.

Argentina Light Petroleum Oils Export (HS 271012) Background

What is HS Code 271012?

HS Code 271012 refers to light petroleum oils and preparations, specifically those derived from bituminous minerals, not crude or waste oils, and containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils. These products are critical for industries such as transportation, manufacturing, and energy due to their use as fuel and feedstock. Global demand remains stable, driven by their essential role in powering economies and industrial processes.

Current Context and Strategic Position

Under the HS, 2017 - Code 271012 classification [UNSD], these oils are categorized for precise trade tracking, emphasizing their importance in international markets. Argentina's light petroleum oils export is strategically significant, leveraging its energy sector to meet global demand while navigating evolving trade policies. With hs code 271012 trade data reflecting shifts in commodity dynamics, monitoring Argentina's export performance in 2025 is vital for stakeholders aiming to capitalize on emerging opportunities or mitigate risks. Vigilance is key as market conditions and regulatory frameworks continue to evolve.

Argentina Light Petroleum Oils Export (HS 271012) Price Trend

Key Observations

Argentina's Light petroleum oils exports in May 2025 totaled 123.61 million USD, representing a dramatic collapse from the elevated levels seen in prior months. This performance underscores significant instability in the Argentina Light petroleum oils Export trend for the period.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The hs code 271012 value trend exhibited extreme volatility through early 2025, with exports surging to 16.91 billion USD in April after declines in February and March, only to plummet in May. This pattern may reflect adjustments in trade policies or reporting efficiencies, as highlighted by resources like [Seair] that focus on customs duties and data management for petroleum products. The sequential swings suggest underlying shifts in global demand or supply chain disruptions, rather than consistent seasonal or inventory cycles typical of the petroleum sector.

Argentina Light Petroleum Oils Export (HS 271012) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

According to yTrade data for May 2025, Argentina's export of Light petroleum oils under HS Code 271012 is highly concentrated in the sub-code 27101249990, which covers petroleum oils and preparations. This sub-code represents over 80% of the export quantity and 67% of the value, indicating a dominant bulk product with a relatively low unit price. Sub-codes like 27101241000 show extreme unit price disparities, with very low volumes but high values, suggesting potential specialty items or data anomalies, and are isolated from the main analysis pool.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The non-anomalous sub-codes fall into three categories based on inferred unit prices. The bulk grade (27101249990) has low unit prices and high volumes. Standard grades, such as 27101249200, 27101259110, and 27101259129, feature medium unit prices and moderate quantities. Premium grades, including 27101249100 and 27101210000, offer higher unit prices but smaller volumes. This structure points to a trade in fungible bulk commodities, where prices are likely tied to global indices, with variations reflecting different quality grades rather than value-added processing.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

For exporters, the heavy reliance on bulk grades under HS Code 271012 means limited pricing power, as costs are driven by commodity market fluctuations. Strategy should prioritize volume and efficiency for the bulk segment, while targeting niche markets for premium grades to enhance profitability. Analysis of HS Code 271012 trade data confirms that diversification into higher-value offerings could mitigate price volatility risks.

Check Detailed HS Code 271012 Breakdown

Argentina Light Petroleum Oils Export (HS 271012) Destination Countries

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

The United States is the top destination for Argentina's Light petroleum oils exports in May 2025, holding a 47.04% value share and 54.24% quantity share. The lower value share compared to quantity suggests bulk trade of lower-end variants. Paraguay is second with a 39.02% value share but only 27.48% quantity share, indicating higher unit prices and demand for premium grades. Shipment frequency is highest from Paraguay and Chile, reflecting frequent, smaller transactions.

Destination Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

Export partners form three clusters. The Volume Cluster includes the United States and Brazil, driven by large quantity shares for bulk consumption or refining. The High-Yield Cluster centers on Paraguay, with elevated value per unit due to premium product demand. The Transactional Cluster involves Chile and others with high frequency shares, likely from regional trade agreements and just-in-time logistics for Light petroleum oils.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Argentina should prioritize bulk exports to the United States and Brazil while expanding into high-value markets like Paraguay. Supply chains need adaptation for frequent shipments to Chile, possibly through logistics hubs. Monitoring HS Code 271012 trends can guide focus on value-added products for better margins.

Table: Argentina Light Petroleum Oils (HS 271012) Top Destination Countries (Source: yTrade)

Get Complete Destination Countries Profile

Action Plan for Light Petroleum Oils Market Operation and Expansion

• Prioritize bulk shipments to the United States and Brazil to maximize volume and revenue from Argentina's Light petroleum oils Export, as the hs code 271012 trade data confirms these markets drive the highest quantity shares.
• Develop targeted marketing for premium-grade variants in Paraguay and similar high-yield markets to capture greater value per unit and reduce reliance on volatile bulk commodity pricing.
• Optimize the Light petroleum oils supply chain for frequent, smaller shipments to transactional partners like Chile by establishing regional logistics hubs, ensuring reliability for just-in-time delivery.
• Continuously monitor hs code 271012 trade data for shifts in product-grade demand to swiftly reallocate export volumes toward higher-value opportunities and mitigate price risk.

Take Action Now —— Explore Argentina Light petroleum oils Export Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Argentina Light petroleum oils Export 2025 May?

Argentina's Light petroleum oils exports collapsed in May 2025 after extreme volatility earlier in the year, likely due to global demand shifts or supply chain disruptions rather than seasonal cycles.

Q2. Who are the main destination countries of Argentina Light petroleum oils (HS Code 271012) 2025 May?

The United States (47% value share) and Paraguay (39% value share) dominate, with the U.S. taking bulk volumes and Paraguay demanding higher-value grades.

Q3. Why does the unit price differ across destination countries of Argentina Light petroleum oils Export?

Price differences stem from product grades: bulk-grade 27101249990 (low unit price) goes to the U.S., while premium-grade 27101249100 (high unit price) targets Paraguay.

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

Exporters should prioritize volume efficiency for bulk shipments to the U.S. while expanding niche premium-grade sales to Paraguay for better margins.

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

U.S. buyers benefit from stable bulk supply, while Paraguayan buyers access premium products, though both face volatility risks from Argentina’s export instability.

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

Light petroleum oils are primarily traded as fungible bulk commodities for refining or consumption, with premium grades likely used for specialized applications.