Argentina Light Trucks Export Market -- HS Code 870421 Trade Data & Price Trend (Jan 2025)

Argentina Light Trucks Export (HS 870421) Key Takeaways

Argentina's Light Trucks exports (HS Code 870421) in January 2025 surged with $257.78 million in value, reflecting stable demand and competitive pricing. The trade is dominated by standardized light trucks under sub-code 87042190300, accounting for over 90% of volume, while niche variants command premium prices. Brazil is the top destination, absorbing nearly half of export value at higher unit prices, signaling strong demand for premium models. High-yield markets like Chile and Guatemala complement volume-driven sales to Central American nations. Exporters benefit from pricing power in mass segments but should explore high-margin specialized variants. This analysis covers January 2025 and is based on processed Customs data from the yTrade database.

Argentina Light Trucks Export (HS 870421) Background

What is HS Code 870421?

HS Code 870421 refers to motor vehicles designed for the transport of goods, with a gross vehicle weight (g.v.w.) not exceeding 5 tonnes, commonly known as light trucks. These vehicles are critical for logistics, agriculture, and small-scale commercial operations, driving consistent global demand due to their versatility and efficiency in urban and rural settings. Their widespread use in supply chains ensures stable trade activity across markets.

Current Context and Strategic Position

Recent trade data highlights Argentina's active role in the global light trucks market, with detailed export and import statistics available through [WITS Data]. Argentina's light trucks export sector is strategically significant, leveraging its automotive manufacturing capabilities to meet regional and international demand. Monitoring hs code 870421 trade data is essential, as shifts in trade policies or economic conditions could impact Argentina's export performance. Vigilance is key to navigating this dynamic market.

Argentina Light Trucks Export (HS 870421) Price Trend

Key Observations

Argentina's light trucks export trend opened 2025 with a strong performance in January, registering $257.78 million in total export value. Shipments reached 9.14 million kilograms at an average unit price of $28.21 per kilogram, reflecting solid overseas demand for the sector.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The January export figures for hs code 870421 suggest a positive start to the year, likely building on industry momentum from late 2024. While month-over-month comparisons are not available, the volume and value point to sustained manufacturing output and logistical capacity. The stability in unit prices indicates that Argentine exporters are maintaining competitive positioning despite broader economic pressures, such as currency fluctuations and shifting global demand for commercial vehicles. This aligns with typical industry cycles where early-year shipments often benefit from refreshed fleet procurement programs in key international markets.

Argentina Light Trucks Export (HS 870421) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

According to yTrade data, Argentina's export of HS Code 870421 in January 2025 is heavily concentrated in one sub-type: vehicles with compression-ignition engines for goods transport, not exceeding 5 tonnes GVW, under code 87042190300. This sub-code accounts for over 90% of the total quantity and value, with a unit price of approximately 28,300 USD per unit, indicating a standardized, high-volume product. A notable anomaly is isolated in code 87042190991, which has a significantly higher unit price of around 40,800 USD per unit, suggesting a specialized variant that diverges from the main market pool.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The non-anomalous sub-codes can be grouped into two categories based on unit price and volume. The first group includes the dominant 87042190300 and similar codes like 87042190210 and 87042110100, with unit prices ranging from 20,700 to 24,200 USD per unit, representing mass-produced, standard-grade light trucks. The second group consists of minor variants like 87042190911, with a unit price of about 23,100 USD per unit, indicating slight differentiation but still within the mainstream. This structure points to a trade in differentiated manufactured goods, where products are tailored to specific market needs rather than being fungible commodities.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

The high concentration in a single sub-code under Argentina's HS Code 870421 export gives producers strong pricing power for standard models, allowing them to leverage economies of scale. However, the presence of a high-price anomaly suggests opportunities in niche markets, where strategic focus on specialized variants could capture premium margins. Analyzing HS Code 870421 trade data reveals that market players should prioritize volume efficiency in dominant segments while exploring high-value differentiations to diversify risk and enhance profitability.

Check Detailed HS Code 870421 Breakdown

Argentina Light Trucks Export (HS 870421) Destination Countries

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

Brazil is the dominant destination for Argentina's Light Trucks exports in January 2025, taking nearly half (49.96%) of the total export value. Its value share is significantly higher than its quantity share (44.75%), indicating that the units shipped to Brazil command a higher average price. This suggests a strong demand for premium or more fully-featured variants of Light Trucks in the Brazilian market.

Destination Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The remaining trade partners form two clear clusters. The first is a High-Yield Cluster, including Chile (14.41% value share) and Guatemala (7.60% value share). Their value shares also outpace their quantity shares, pointing to a focus on higher-margin vehicle exports. The second is a Volume Cluster, comprised of nations like Honduras, Dominican Republic, and Nicaragua. Their quantity shares are closer to their value shares, indicating trade in more standard, lower-priced units. This split reflects a strategy of targeting premium markets where possible while maintaining volume sales elsewhere in the region.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

The data suggests a clear path for maximizing returns on Argentina's Light Trucks export trade. The priority should be to secure and expand the high-margin business with Brazil and other High-Yield Cluster partners. For the Volume Cluster, the focus should shift to supply chain and logistics optimization to protect thinner margins through efficient shipping and distribution. This two-pronged approach will help balance overall revenue growth with profitability for HS Code 870421 trade.

Table: Argentina Light Trucks (HS 870421) Top Destination Countries (Source: yTrade)

Get Complete Destination Countries Profile

Action Plan for Light Trucks Market Operation and Expansion

• Prioritize production of the dominant 87042190300 sub-code to leverage economies of scale, as it forms the volume core of Argentina's Light Trucks Export and secures competitive pricing power in the hs code 870421 trade data.
• Develop and market specialized, high-unit-price variants (e.g., 87042190991) to target premium niche markets, as this diversifies the export portfolio and captures significantly higher margins beyond the standard models.
• Allocate maximum sales and marketing resources to secure high-yield partners like Brazil and Chile, because their demand for premium features directly boosts the average value of Argentina Light Trucks Export shipments.
• Optimize the Light Trucks supply chain for cost-efficiency in volume-focused markets like Honduras and Nicaragua, protecting thinner margins through streamlined logistics and distribution for the hs code 870421 trade.
• Continuously analyze buyer-specific hs code 870421 trade data to anticipate order cycles and prevent inventory bottlenecks, ensuring the Light Trucks supply chain remains agile and responsive to regional demand shifts.

Take Action Now —— Explore Argentina Light Trucks Export Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Argentina Light Trucks Export 2025 January?

Argentina's Light Trucks export started 2025 strongly with $257.78 million in value, reflecting sustained demand. The stability in unit prices ($28.21/kg) suggests competitive positioning despite economic pressures, supported by standardized high-volume production and niche premium variants.

Q2. Who are the main destination countries of Argentina Light Trucks (HS Code 870421) 2025 January?

Brazil dominates with 49.96% of export value, followed by Chile (14.41%) and Guatemala (7.60%). These markets prioritize higher-margin variants, while volume-focused destinations like Honduras and Nicaragua trade more standardized units.

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

Price differences stem from product specialization. Brazil and high-yield markets demand premium variants (e.g., 87042190991 at ~40,800 USD/unit), while volume clusters receive standard models (e.g., 87042190300 at ~28,300 USD/unit).

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

Exporters should prioritize high-margin markets like Brazil and Chile while optimizing supply chains for volume-driven destinations. Diversifying into niche premium variants (e.g., 87042190991) could further enhance profitability.

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

Buyers in Brazil and high-yield clusters access premium, feature-rich trucks, while volume-focused markets receive cost-efficient standard models. The concentration suggests reliable supply but limited differentiation in mainstream segments.

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

Light Trucks (HS Code 870421) are primarily vehicles with compression-ignition engines for goods transport (≤5 tonnes GVW), serving commercial logistics and fleet operations across Latin American markets.